The woman was attacked at gunpoint at the South Shore Miller train station at Highway 12 and Lake Street Saturday night.
The 68-year-old woman was attacked around 11:45 p.m. Authorities say the incident was recorded by transit parking lot security cameras. It shows the suspect riding away on a bike.
The victim was dropped off at a McDonald's, which was about to close. Instead of eating in the rain, authorities say, she brought her food across the street to the passenger shelter. That's where a man sat next to her, started making conversation and moved closer. Then he pulled out a gun and ordered her to the ground, the victim said.
Police say the footage shows the man with a handgun fleeing east from the station on a dark-colored BMX-style bike.
The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police say they hope physical evidence will lead to a match in a DNA database.
"I definitely hope they will find this person because no one like that ought to be on the streets," said Candice Walker.
Carmen Cruz said she saw police late Saturday responding to a crime scene at the train station. On her commute to Chicago Monday morning, she learned why.
"It just makes me a lot more weary and makes me want to be more careful what's going on," she said.
"I think it's kind of terrifying. Also being a female, like, I'm here during the daylight, but I've taken the train home at 8:30 at night and that hasn't been on my mind," said Lauren Niemcewicz.
Commuters were disturbed by news of the crime.
"You don't see a lot of police patrols in the area. I have heard of people being attacked at McDonald's just up the street, but honestly, I'm not surprised to hear something like that would happen," said Milinda Morgan. "I didn't know there was cameras, so that's nice to know there are cameras."
Police say they have technology experts working to enhance the video taken by their security cameras. If anyone has any information on the crime, they are asked to call the transit police at 219-398-6000.
