When long-time North Side bartender Eric “Julian” Hall was found lying unconscious at the bottom of the Loyal Red Line stairs early on January 13, his wallet was missing. Hall had suffered head trauma and would later die from his injuries. Online chatter at Reddit and Everyblock was that Hall had been gravely wounded in a robbery at the station, 1200 West Loyola Ave.
But police, armed with surveillance footage, determined that the facts were different—but no less troubling. Hall, 48, was alone at the station a little after 5 a.m. when he fell down the stairs and suffered grave injuries. Hall remained unconscious at the bottom of the steps for some time. Eventually, a man came along, rifled through his pockets, took his wallet, and walked away. Only later would anyone call 911 for an ambulance.
Hall’s death was ruled an accident.
The new question online: Who would steal the wallet from a man who’s lying unconscious on the ground?
Calvin Greyer would, police say. And, according to newly-filed criminal charges, he did.
Earlier this month, officers in the Town Hall police district near Wrigley Field were shown CTA surveillance footage of what happened. Several officers immediately recognized Greyer as the thief based on previous encounters with him at the Jewel-Osco store at 3531 North Broadway, according to arrest records and sources.
Around 10:30 on Friday night, two officers patrolling Boystown saw Greyer walking near the Sherwin Williams paint store at 3311 North Halsted. They stopped him, verified his ID, and took him into custody.
Greyer, 50, is charged with felony theft from a person and felony possession of a controlled substance. The latter charge stems from officers’ discovery of 28 Tramadol pills in his backpack, prosecutors said.
Court records show he has faced a long list of criminal charges in Cook County since 1985.
Judge Mary Marubio ordered Greyer held in lieu of a $10,000 deposit bond and said he must go onto electronic monitoring if he makes bail.
