Cell phones stolen from CTA Red Line riders at Wilson station

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are warning CTA Red Line riders to be alert after several cell phone thefts at the Wilson station. Officials released a photo of one of the suspects on Friday afternoon.

Authorities said the suspected robber grabbed the victim's cell phone out of his or her hand and ran off the train in three separate incidents in the last month. All three robberies took place at the Wilson stop at night: around 2:15 a.m. on Dec. 28, around 10:45 p.m. on Jan. 9 and around 11:25 p.m. on Jan. 14.

"You definitely should be cautious. I see people in the train with their phones out, not really caring," Corey Bobo, CTA rider, said.

Police released an image from surveillance cameras of the man wanted in the Dec. 28 theft. The suspect is an African-American man between 18 and 25 years old wearing a gray sweatshirt with an American Eagle logo over a blue hooded sweatshirt and camouflage pants.

"All the kids are getting their homework done really quick. And these are kids that go to Evanston or whatever, they're oblivious because their blinders are (on) now because we all look like this on our cell phones," Tim Morrissey said.

As police investigate, the Guardian Angels are riding trains and making passengers aware of the incidents.

"I have to like, blink in, because I'll be listening to my headphones and things like that. But then I have to bring myself back to like, 'OK, you are out here walking really early in the morning,'" Katrina Stallworth said.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has other information should contact Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.