CTA riders on alert after recent armed robberies, stabbing

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some CTA riders are concerned after a recent spike in crime. Police issued a community alert warning of two men robbing people at gunpoint on CTA trains and at CTA stations. Surveillance photos of the suspects were released overnight. Police are also investigating a stabbing.

Police said the men showed a black handgun and used pepper spray on their victims. After taking their cell phones, wallets and cash, police said the suspects exited the train at the next stop or jumped over turnstiles as they ran from the stop.

Like so many this weekend, Anne Grover and her husband Jaime headed to Lollapalooza, but instead of hopping on the Brown Line from Fullerton, they feel it is safer to cab it downtown.

"I would rather pay the $10 for a cab than risk getting mugged or stabbed," Anne Grover, CTA passenger, said.

A 21-year-old woman was stabbed just after midnight on the platform at the Adams/Wabash CTA station. Police say the victim was stabbed in the leg and stomach following and argument with someone.

The crime shocked many downtown CTA regulars.

"On the Brown Line here, it is usually safe, so it kind of bothers me it happened," Bridget Burton, a CTA passenger, said.

A 17-year-old boy was robbed at the Fullerton station in the 1000-block of West Fullerton Parkway around 5 p.m. Sunday. A 23-year-old man was robbed in the 400-block of West 69th Street around 4 a.m. Monday. A 15-year-old boy at the Brown Line Kimball station in the 3400-block of West Lawrence Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Police described one of the suspects as a 30-year-old black man who is between 5 ft. 9 in. and 5 ft. 10 in. tall and weighs around 140-160 lbs. He was wearing glasses, a Cleveland Cavaliers cap, a yellow and maroon shirt, pants in the same colors and red gym shoes.

Police described the other suspect as a 40-year-old black man with short, black hair who was between 5 ft. 9 in. and 6 ft. tall and weighed around 170-200 lbs. He was wearing a black polo and black shoes.

Despite the extra crime, some passengers are not afraid to take the CTA. Traveling in groups is one of many precautions riders are taking.

Anyone with information regarding these armed robberies should contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.