Cops reportedly bust CTA pistol-whipper at Roosevelt station

Chicago police on Friday morning arrested a suspect in a series of pistol-whippings and “person with a gun” sightings along the CTA’s train system this week. Officers allegedly found an air pistol in his backpack.

CPD’s Mass Transit Unit tweeted a picture of the man being led by police through the Roosevelt CTA station at 10:42 Friday morning. The detained man is wearing clothing that appears identical to the clothes worn by a man who was seen brandishing a gun Thursday at the same train station and at the Fullerton and Belmont Red Line stations. A police department spokesperson said they had no information available about the arrest.

Chicago police officers escorting the suspect from the Roosevelt station (L) and the “air soft” pistol CPD allegedly found in the man’s backpack. | CPD

Earlier this week, police issued a community alert after a man pistol-whipped passengers on the Blue Line in Bucktown and the West Loop.

Around 6:54 a.m. Monday, a 21-year-old man was sitting on the Clinton Blue Line platform when the offender walked up and struck him in the head with a handgun, Officer Steve Rusanov said. The attacker then allegedly boarded a train toward Forest Park. An EMS crew treated the victim at the scene for an injury to his right ear.

On Wednesday, a 39-year-old woman was riding a northbound Blue Line train when a man struck her in the head and arm with a handgun around 9:03 a.m., police said. He reportedly exited at the Western station. The victim was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in good condition.

CPD’s investigation is continuing.

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