A group of attackers beat and robbed a man on the Jackson Red Line platform Sunday night — then, they returned an hour later to beat and rob a second victim, according to police. Two juveniles are facing charges.
Some members of the group match the descriptions of suspects in an earlier robbery at the Grand Red Line station, too.
CPD spokesperson Kellie Bartoli said a 42-year-old man was standing on the platform at 230 South State when a group of offenders walked up and tried to take his property around 10:42 p.m. The group then began beating the victim, who fell to the platform.
While he was on the ground, the crew took his valuables and fled, Bartoli said. He declined medical attention.
Just over an hour later, a 28-year-old man was standing on the same platform when about five male offenders began punching and kicking him, Bartoli said. The attackers took his property and ran from the area. He also declined medical attention.
Police searched the area for the group, which included a suspect who wore a Rugrats coat. Two were arrested. Bartoli said they are both juveniles, and charges are pending.
Earlier in the evening, a man wearing a Rugrats jacket robbed a woman of her wallet at the Grand Red Line station. She was not injured in the mugging, which was reported around 6:30 p.m. No charges have been filed in the case.
Perhaps not coincidentally, a suspect wearing a Rugrats jacket was also identified as one of two men who stole more than $10,000 in merchandise from the North Face store, 800 North Michigan, on the afternoon of December 9. Police have not announced any arrests in the case.
The 1st (Central) Police District, which includes the Loop, recorded 41 robberies in December through Christmas Day. Records show 20 of the 41 crimes occurred aboard CTA trains and in CTA stations — and eight of the CTA-related robberies were at Jackson.
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