Ex- building inspector pleads guilty to asking for bribe

A former Chicago building inspector admitted in federal court Thursday that he asked for a bribe in exchange for allowing renovation work without a permit.

Robert Uribe, 55, of Frankfort asked the owner of a two- story building for $ 300 to allow the owner to renovate the building without a permit, according to the U. S. attorney’s office.

In a recorded conversation in November 2015, Uribe told the owner that unless he gave him “appreciation,” he would shut down the renovation work, federal prosecutors said. That appreciation was worth $ 300, Uribe told the owner.

A few days later, the owner gave Uribe $ 300 in a meeting at the building but recorded the meeting, prosecutors said. Uribe pleaded guilty to one count of attempted extortion under color of official right and faces up to 20 years in prison, according to prosecutors.

Matthew Hendrickson

Robberies on 606 Trail

Police are warning residents of five armed robberies in less than a month on the 606 Trail. The robberies occurred: ◆ about 9: 45 p. m. Sept. 19 in the 2800 block of West Bloomingdale;

◆ about 8: 15 p. m. Sept. 22 in the 3300 block of West Bloomingdale; ◆ about 5: 45 p. m. Oct. 11 in the 2500 block of West Bloomingdale;

◆ about 11: 25 p. m. Oct. 15 in the 3200 block of West Bloomingdale; and

◆ about 7: 30 p. m. Oct. 19 in the 2800 block of West Bloomingdale.

The suspects are three white or Hispanic males, 16 to 21 years old, standing 5- 6 to 5- 10, weighing 150- 160 pounds, wearing a red cap and a beige button- down shirt, or a white hoodie and gray pants, police said.

Another suspect is a 140- pound, 5- 8, 18- year- old black man wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants, police said.