Prosecutors said an 84-year-old man was knocked to the ground and robbed as he walked home from a doctor’s appointment this week in Boystown. But cops, aided by a good Samaritan and witnesses, found the much-younger offender, who was AWOL on two separate misdemeanor cases.
On Wednesday afternoon, Cleland Washington, 34, was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 bail by Judge David Navarro.
The victim was walking in the 600 block of West Belmont around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday when Washington came up behind him and took his wallet from his back pocket, Assistant State’s Attorney Darryl Auguste said.
When the victim tried to get his wallet back, Washington allegedly struggled with him and knocked him to the ground. The man suffered minor injuries to his arm and hands.
A good Samaritan chased the robber and tried to stop him, but the offender got away on a southbound Halsted bus. He didn’t get far, though.
A CPD surveillance camera operator saw the robber exit the bus just a couple of blocks away and the bus driver pointed officers toward the suspect.
Police found Washington on the 3000 block of North Sheffield. He was allegedly carrying the victim’s CTA card and $90 cash that the victim reported stolen.
Washington was arrested for misdemeanor reckless conduct and assault case in Lagrange on June 8, just a week after he was charged with misdemeanor battery in Chicago, according to court records. He was released on recognizance bonds after both of those arrests and never appeared in court for either of them, court records show.
He must post a $5,000 deposit to get out of jail on the robbery case.
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