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Reported by: Dave Benton / WCIA 3 Monday, Jun 22, 2009 @02:47pm CDT RANTOUL - About a dozen teenagers are causing trouble. They've beaten up three people in just over a week. Marcus Beach with the Rantoul Police Department says, anytime you have that size group working together "...we consider it to be a gang related issue." In Crime Watch tonight, police need your help to find them. So far, they've struck in two spots. They hit their first victim in the 400-block of South Chanute Street Monday, June 8th. Another person was attacked in the 1100-block of Clark Street the same day. They were at it again on Chanute Street a week later. Investigators say the group is targeting people either walking alone or with one other person. They punch their victims in the face and then repeatedly kick and punch them once their down. They may ask for a lighter right before they pounce. Two of the victims have been seriously hurt. Beach adds, "One of the victim to the point of unconsciousness. Two of our victims had to go to the hospital." All the suspects seem to be part of the same group. They're 15 to 18 years old. They've stolen cash and cell phones from their victims. If you have any information, call Champaign County Crimestoppers at 373-TIPS. You can also send in a text tip on your cell phone or a web tip . You don't have to give your name or testify in court and a reward is offered. |