Search for CTA Orange Line robbery suspects continues

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Members of the guardian angels alerted residents and passengers as police continue to search for two suspects in connection with an armed robbery that occurred Wednesday on the CTA Orange Line.

The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. on an inbound train when the robbers, both armed, allegedly walked into the train car between the Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road stops and announced a robbery, officials said.

On Thursday night, the Chicago Police Department released three additional surveillance images of the suspects sought in multiple CTA Orange Line robberies.

PHOTOS: Orange Line robbery suspects

"Based on the activity that we can confirm now, it does appear that they were trying to pick and choose the best train and location, however, that is not to say that they aren't the offenders of different robberies," said Lt. Ozzie Valdez of Chicago police.

Authorities said the two thieves allegedly robbed at least four riders of jewelry, cellphones and other valuables - even pistol-whipping a woman who resisted before running off when the train pulled into the Roosevelt station.

One of the riders who was robbed alerted CTA workers when the train reached Roosevelt.

Extra police are patrolling the CTA's Roosevelt stop as the Guardian Angels returned to warn riders of the danger during Thursday's evening rush hour commute.

"It's all over social media, it's all over the news networks, we're asking people to just take a minute, look, if you even suspect somebody that you may recognize, just call the police," said Miguel Fuentes of the Guardian Angels.

CTA officials say armed robberies are "extremely rare'' on the transit system, adding that the agency had equipped 834 of about 1,200 rail cars with multiple surveillance cameras.

Despite this, CTA rider Stephan Pedretti says he's more aware of his surroundings than ever to stay safe.

"Look, don't have your face in the cell phone textin' and tweetin' and you don't even know where you're going, because those are the people that they usually look for, but life happens," he said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Chicago police.