From the 2nd District Area Central police headquarters

A series of at least four recent robberies on the South Side has targeted tow truck drivers called to buy old vehicles, police said tonight.

A business alert said the robberies took place in May and June using a similar ruse: a person on a cell phone makes arrangements to sell a tow-away vehicle, and the driver is robbed at gunpoint when he shows up.

The similar robberies took place:
--May 17, about 9 p.m., on the 5900 block of South Wolcott Avenue.
--June 1, about 4:10 p.m., on the 5300 block of South Aberdeen Street.
--June 8, about 10 a.m., on the 5300 block of South Bishop Street.
--June 11, about 6:55 p.m., on the 1300 block of West 51st Street.

Police said victims have provided varying descriptions of the robbers, but generally it has been 1 to 4 men in their early 20s to mid 30s, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-11, and 160-180 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8382.