Cary High received an eight-year sentence for robbing a Columbia College student in the Loop in 2013. Now, prosecutors say, High has robbed another student in the Loop and robbed a woman who was downtown with her three children. Judge Maryam Ahmad ordered High held in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Background
High, 58, has an extensive criminal record. Among other felonies, he was convicted of robbery in 1986. In 1996, he was convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault. He’s listed on the state’s sex offender registry.
Then, in October 2013, he confronted a Columbia student on the 1300 block of South Michigan and asked for a sandwich. The student declined, and High warned that he would remember him.
Sure enough, a few days later, they crossed paths again.
“Do you remember me?” High allegedly asked. “I remember you.”
The student offered him $5. High, seeing the man had more money, ordered him to turn over all of his cash.
Judge Matthew Coghlan sentenced High to eight years.
New allegations
Police arrested High on the 600 block of South Wabash last week. They recognized him from an internal bulletin about a man robbing women in the Loop.
Around 3:15 p.m. on January 31, a 40-year-old woman was downtown with her three children when High forced her to follow him to an ATM inside the Roosevelt CTA station, according to prosecutors.
He allegedly forced the woman to withdraw cash and give it to him. Prosecutors said he scored $20 in the hold-up. The woman and children were not injured.
Then, according to the allegations, around 6:45 p.m. on February 4, high confronted a 19-year-old woman on the 800 block of South State.
You better give me some money or else,” he allegedly barked.
The woman, who lives in nearby student housing, gave him $20. But that wasn’t good enough.
Prosecutors said High forced the woman to go to a nearby ATM. She withdrew the last $40 she had and gave it to him.
High is charged with two counts of robbery. He is due back in court on Wednesday.