Woman's face slashed at CTA train station at Clark/Lake during robbery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A woman was slashed in the face during a violent mugging at a CTA train station in the Loop. A Good Samaritan called police and followed the alleged attacker, who was arrested shortly after.

The woman was attacked around 4 a.m. while waiting for the train at the Blue Line's Clark and Lake station, which is underground. Her left cheek was cut during the robbery.

"A woman was cut. Her face was slashed and we have her offender in custody," Chicago Police Sergeant Craig Roberts said.

The victim is in stable condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, officials said.

The suspect was taken into custody because a witness followed the offender out of the subway and down three blocks while calling police. The alleged offender was taken into custody near Lake and Wacker.

Evidence technicians descended into the subway to look for clues. Officials said the attack may have begun as an attempted cell phone robbery.

"Potentially there was a cellphone involved, that's all I really know," Sgt. Roberts said.

Police said the man told arresting officers the cell phone belonged to him.

The Good Samaritan who followed the offender did not want to be identified, but said he had a gut reaction to help another human.