Cops warn Chicago residents same criminals have carried out nearly 50 armed robberies in five weeks

A brazen group of thieves in black ski masks were caught on video robbing a family at gunpoint at their front door in broad daylight, the latest in a shocking series of recent robberies in Chicago. 

In fact, the Chicago Police Department revealed that the city has faced nearly 50 armed robberies just in the past five weeks, with authorities saying in an alert that they believe they've been committed by the same three to four suspects.

Crime continues to be a problem in Chicago - up 49 percent from this point last year - just weeks after new Mayor Brandon Johnson, 47, was inaugurated following a close election over a more conservative, 'tough on crime' Democrat rival, Paul Vallas, whom he defeated by around 13,000 votes.

The most recent instance of these potentially serial robberies happened in the city's Hermosa neighborhood, according to NBC Chicago.

Vincent Galena Sr. was on his way to work at 6 a.m. last Friday morning when he was attacked, according to son Vincent Jr. 

A brazen group of thieves in black ski masks were caught on video robbing a family at gunpoint at their front door in broad daylight, the latest in a shocking series of recent robberies in Chicago

'The first guy that was sending closer to the truck - he got the guns pulled out to him, and from there, that's when they started pointing a gun at my dad, and the other guy who was up here on those stairs,' Galena Jr. told CBS Chicago. 

His son said that his father's wife, five kids, sister, and nephews were all asleep inside during the robbery.

'More worried about if they were going to go inside the house,' Galena Jr. said, calling his father a hero and said 'he was trying to protect the doorway, so he didn't want to come down the stairs.' 

'In case they try to force their way in there, then he was going to fight back,' he added. 

He lost all of the money he'd planned to buy construction tools for the day's work with, in addition to losing that day's salary. 

The community alert sent out by police said they're looking for three to four people who are consistently wearing black ski masks, dark clothing and blue gloves. 

Police also claimed that they've been consistently attacking people on their way to work, saying they believe the thieves to be responsible for 10 more robberies just that morning alone.

The ensuing Memorial Day weekend, at least 41 people were shot and nine killed as shootings ravaged Chicago over the holiday.

Vincent Galena Sr. was on his way to work at 6 a.m. last Friday morning when he was attacked, according to son Vincent Jr

His son said that his father's wife, five kids, sister, and nephews were all asleep inside during the robbery

Crime continues to be a problem in Chicago just weeks after new Mayor Brandon Johnson, 47, was inaugurated following a close election over a more conservative, 'tough on crime' Democrat rival, Paul Vallas, whom he defeated by around 13,000 votes

Historically, Memorial Day weekend has been marked by an increase in violent incidents in Chicago, making it one of the most challenging periods for public safety in the city. 

A total of 52 people were shot and nine killed on the holiday weekend last year.

In the hope of de-escalating the violence, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced last week that 'peacekeepers' would be deployed across the city to and address any conflict.

But many people were still caught up in the violence as dozens came under attack from gunfire right across the city.

The weekend had also been seen as a crucial test for newly inaugurated Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who assumed office earlier this month with a commitment to addressing public safety through 'intelligent and holistic approaches' rather than relying solely on toughness.

Through May 28, crime has soared 49 percent from the same period in 2022. That year finished with crime rising 41 percent from 2021, according to the city's own numbers. 

No doubt assisted by these serial ski masked thieves, robberies are up 28 percent in the Windy City from this point last year.

Motor vehicle thefts have risen a shocking 167 percent, while murders are up 21 percent, aggravated battery 25 percent and shootings 55 percent.

'My administration's top priority is building a city where every single resident feels safe, and in order to do that, we need everyone at the table,' Johnson said.

Upon being inaugurated in mid-May, the former union rep touted values such as 'hard work' and the Windy City's inherent 'soul. 

Through May 28, crime has soared 49 percent from the same period in 2022. That year finished with crime rising 41 percent from 2021, according to the city's own numbers

One person pulled out a gun and fired it during the fracas which happened at 1.30pm on Friday, as North Avenue Beach opened ahead of Memorial Day weekend

At least 41 people have been shot and nine killed as shootings ravaged Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend. A car window is seen smashed following an incident at North Avenue Beach on Friday

That said, the speech did not address the potential mass migration of of prominent business owners out of the city, which includes Chicago 's richest billionaire Ken Griffin, who in the fall relocated hedge fund Citadel to Miami.

After a shooting outside the firm's Downtown offices,  Griffin bought a record-breaking $106.9 million waterfront estate in the Sunshine State - an increasinfly popular destination for jilted blue staters - upon announcing his plans to move his more than 1,000 staffers out of the crime-ridden metropolis.

It is not yet clear if CME will follow suit, but as crime continues to persist, it remains a possibility.