ELGIN -- Police said Tuesday that the robbery of one cab driver and the attempted robbery of another that took place just hours apart in the downtown area may have been just a coincidence.

Elgin Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda said that although both incidents shared certain similarities, such as location and the type of weapon the suspects reportedly used, investigators did not believe they were looking for the same robber in each case.

"The circumstances and the area are quite coincidental," he said. "But at this point we are investigating it as if there were two offenders."

The first incident occurred around 11:17 p.m. Monday near Michigan Street and Gifford Place, according to reports.

The victim told police he had been parked along Grove Avenue when a man approached his cab and asked to be taken to Michigan Street.

Once there, reports stated, the robber pulled out a large knife and demanded money. The driver said he gave the robber $20, after which the robber got out of the cab and left the area.

A similar incident was reported to have occurred around 2:06 a.m. Tuesday. A cab driver parked near the Chicago Street Metra train station was approached by a man who requested a ride to an address near the 700 block of Villa Street.

Upon arriving at the location, the victim reported that the man grabbed him from behind, holding a knife and demanding money.

The driver told police he was able to grab a radio microphone and yell for help, which prompted the man to run away without getting any money.