Thief rips necklaces from women's necks on CTA trains

Thursday, August 13, 2015
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are warning CTA riders of a man stealing expensive necklaces from women on Blue and Red Line trains.

A community alert said the suspect waits for a train to approach a stop, rips the necklace off the victim's neck and takes off running through the opening doors.

Police said the suspect has stolen three necklaces in the last three weeks.
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The most recent robbery occurred on a Blue Line train near the Division stop in the 1200-block of North Milwaukee Avenue around 6:50 a.m. Wednesday.

Another took place on a Red Line train near the Cermak-Chinatown stop in the 100-block of West Cermak Road around 7:05 a.m. on Aug. 3.

The first victim was robbed on a Blue Line train near the UIC-Halsted stop in the 800-block of West Harrison Street around 3:30 p.m. on July 27.



CTA surveillance photos show the suspect is a bald African American man between 20 and 30 years old with a dark complexion. He is between 5 ft. 3 in. and 5 ft. 6 in. tall and weighs about 145-155 pounds. He was wearing a light-colored baseball cap in two of the photos.

Police urge CTA riders to be alert and to keep valuable jewelry in a purse or bag during their commute.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies should contact Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8384.
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