Chicago police are warning CTA riders after a small armed crew allegedly targeted passengers on South Side Red Line trains earlier this month, using force to grab belongings and then bolting off the trains. The attackers vanished into the early-morning darkness, leaving riders rattled and detectives asking for help.
Three early-morning incidents
According to CBS Chicago, the robberies were reported in Greater Grand Crossing, Roseland and Englewood in three separate hits. The incidents occurred in the 0-100 block of W. 69th St. at about 5 a.m. on Dec. 13, the 0-100 block of W. 95th St. at around 5:15 a.m. that same morning, and the 5500 block of S. Wentworth at roughly 3 a.m. on Dec. 16.
Police ask for tips
In a community alert, the Chicago Police Department said about four suspects approached victims on the trains and, in two of the cases, were armed with a handgun and a pair of scissors. After the confrontations, they ran off the trains to get away. Investigators are asking anyone with information or video to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8384.
A pattern across the system
For regular CTA riders and transit-watch groups, this latest alert feels all too familiar. It is one more entry in a string of robberies targeting transit riders across the system, piling on community concerns and pressure for more visible patrols. Similar crews and incidents on Red Line trains in other parts of the city have been covered by local outlets, including FOX 32 Chicago.
How riders can protect themselves
The CTA advises riders to call 911 in an emergency, use the Passenger Intercom Unit on trains, press platform emergency call boxes, and alert station staff when it is safe to do so. Passengers are also encouraged to note car numbers, the direction of travel, and any identifying details about suspects before making a report. More guidance is available on the transit agency’s security page. CTA and CPD patrols are continuing to canvass the affected areas while detectives investigate.
