Two robberies within days reported on CTA Blue Line on Northwest Side

by CYRYL JAKUBOWSKI

Two separate robberies within days were reported on the CTA Blue Line last week on Chicago’s Northwest Side, according to police.

A security guard was robbed and attacked at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, while he was riding the CTA Blue Line train between the Cumberland and Harlem stations, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police.

Officers responded to a call of person hurt at the Harlem CTA Blue Line station, 5500 N. Harlem Ave., and a CTA employee reported that a rider was attacked on the train and the man was taken to a nearby hospital, police said.

The 45-year-old man reported at the hospital that he was riding the train “minding my own business” when a man demanded his belongings and kicked and punched him, according to police. The man reported that as he defended himself two other men began kicking him and he hit his head on a seat as he fell to the floor, police said. The man reported the men searched him and took his cell phone, and a tactical vest and a Taser from his book bag, police said. The man reported that the men waited until the train stopped and pushed him off the train at the Harlem station, according to police.

The man reported that prior to the attack the men were sitting behind him and “smoking crack on the train,” police said. The man was treated at Prime Healthcare Resurrection Medical Center, according to police.

One of the men was described as White, 6-0 and 200 pounds, and wearing a camouflage-colored ski mask, a black jacket and gray sweatpants. The second man was described as Black, age 50 to 60, 5-6 and 225 pounds, and wearing a white/blue/orange jacket and blue jeans. The third man was described as Black, age 20 to 30, 5-7 and 300 pounds, and wearing a green sweater and black jeans.

Earlier last week, a man had his ear cut with a knife during a robbery at about 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, while he was riding a CTA Blue Line train between the Harlem and Jefferson Park stations, according to police.

The 56-year-old man reported he was on his way to work when five men approached him on the train and demanded his bag and belongings, police said. The man reported that when he refused one of the men pulled out a knife, cut his left ear, and took his bag and cell phone, police said. The man rode the train home and was treated at South Shore Hospital in stable condition where he was met by officers to file a report, according to police. The assailants were described only as Black, with no other details, police said.

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