An Auburn-Gresham man cut a security cord to steal an iPhone from the Apple Store on North Avenue, then slashed a guard who tried to apprehend him, police said.
Prosecutors charged 18-year-old Ralphael Dogan with felony armed robbery and reckless conduct.
Police said Dogan stole an iPhone by cutting its tether with scissors on Nov. 7. Then, he allegedly returned to the store at 801 West North Ave. and did the same thing again around 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 12
An Apple guard told police he recognized Dogan when the teen re-entered the store on Tuesday. The security officer pursued him and Dogan ran into the middle of Halsted Street, causing a traffic accident, according to a CPD spokesperson.
After the crash, Dogan turned around and slashed the security guard with the scissors, cutting the victim’s hand, police said.
Police took Dogan into custody on the 1500 block of North Halsted moments later.
A judge set bail for Dogan at $5,000. The teen will need to post a $500 deposit to go free before trial. He is due back in court on Tuesday.
CWBChicago reported last month that retail theft reports have soared on the North Avenue shopping corridor. As of late September, retailers in the area had already filed more theft reports with police than during all of last year.