A police surveillance camera operations team helped track down an offender who attacked and robbed a man in River North on Friday, prosecutors said.
Officers assigned to monitor CPD POD cameras dialed up a feed after 911 callers reported seeing a man being attacked outside Portillo’s, 100 West Ontario, around 2:50 a.m.. The attack was still unfolding as cops watched the incoming video, according to prosecutors.
Footage from CPD’s camera showed Coree Edwards punch a 57-year-old man in the face and then continue to beat the victim as he lied on the ground, police said. A second offender reportedly ran up, kicked the victim in the face, and punched the man.
After the attack, Edwards allegedly went through the victim’s pockets and ordered him to hand over his money. Edwards took the victim’s phone and cash, then punched the victim some more, prosecutors said.
Both attackers fled as police patrol cars arrived. Officers searched the area for suspects who matched descriptions provided by the surveillance camera team. Edwards was arrested nearby, and the victim later identified him as one of the robbers, according to prosecutors.
An ambulance transported the victim to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment of head and face injuries. His phone was never found, and the second offender remains at large.
Prosecutors charged Edwards with felony robbery. Judge Mary Marubio set bail at $50,000 and ordered him to go on electronic monitoring if he can post the mandatory $5,000 deposit bond.
Marubio also ordered Edwards held without bail for violating the terms of a pending felony case. In that matter, he was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer in the Loop on November 7. He also has a pending theft case from River North in June.
