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Early Thursday morning in Chicago's Little Village, two restaurant owners found themselves at the center of a terrifying ordeal. A 48-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, owners of the popular Los Tamales de la Tia, were about to enter their restaurant when an SUV pulled up in the 3400 block of West 26th Street. Within moments, five suspects emerged, three of them armed with guns, according to Chicago police.
The suspects didn’t just rob the restaurant. In a horrifying turn, they forced the owners into the SUV, driving them to multiple ATM locations and demanding they withdraw cash. The suspects took the couple to ATMs on West 26th Street and West 21st Street, continuing their crime spree.
One of the victims shared how harrowing the experience was, explaining that the suspects threatened not only their lives but also the safety of their family. Despite the frightening threats, the couple was released unharmed. “They threatened to kill us,” one of the victims said, visibly shaken.
Video footage captured later that morning shows crime scene tape surrounding Los Tamales de la Tia as Area Three detectives continue their investigation. While no physical injuries were reported, the emotional toll on the couple is clear. The restaurant owners are recovering from the ordeal, and police are working diligently to locate the suspects.
Chicago police are asking anyone with information to come forward as they search for leads in this disturbing crime. No arrests have been made as of Thursday afternoon.
As the community rallies around the victims, this event has shaken many in the neighborhood. For now, Little Village residents remain on alert, hoping for a swift resolution.
