A 20-year-old South Side man is facing serious felony charges after a brutal Red Line robbery that left a 55-year-old passenger badly hurt and riders rattled. Police say Artiz Haywood was one of three people who attacked the rider aboard a CTA Red Line train near the Garfield station on Oct. 21, 2025, a case that has only deepened unease among regulars on the South Side.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, Haywood was arrested Tuesday by members of the Chicago Police Department's counterterrorism team. He is charged with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, robbery and unlawful restraint, all felonies. Investigators say the victim suffered serious injuries in the attack. Haywood remains in custody ahead of a detention hearing at the Cook County courthouse this week.
Transit attacks keep stacking up this winter
The arrest lands as the city deals with a run of assaults and robberies on CTA trains this winter. The Chicago Sun-Times and CBS Chicago recently detailed a Feb. 1 attack near the Addison stop where a rider was punched, robbed and stomped. Hoodline previously covered a similar October Red Line beating that led to an arrest in January, see Suburban Teen Nabbed In Red Line Beatdown, underscoring a pattern of arrests coming weeks or months after the incidents.
What police say happened on the Garfield train
Investigators say the Garfield attack started when a group approached the 55-year-old rider on a southbound train, then spiraled into a violent beating and robbery, authorities told FOX 32 Chicago. Detectives say surveillance video and tips from witnesses helped them zero in on a suspect. Officials have not said publicly whether they expect to bring in the other alleged attackers.
What happens in court next
Haywood’s upcoming detention hearing will determine whether he stays behind bars while prosecutors move forward with formal filings. County prosecutors have said they will seek detention for detainable felonies that occur on public transit. In a December 2024 policy announcement, the Cook County State’s Attorney said prosecutors would push for pretrial detention in such cases to protect victims and public safety. If he is charged and convicted, the aggravated battery causing great bodily harm count alone carries substantial prison time under Illinois law.
Haywood remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court this week. Anyone with information about the Oct. 21 attack near the Garfield stop is asked to contact Chicago Police Public Transportation detectives at 312-745-4447 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com.
