A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbing people on the Red Line while armed with large kitchen knives he had just stolen from a downtown Target store.
Charles Lawson, 29, pleaded guilty to armed robbery in connection with the December 2022 holdups. Prosecutors said Lawson stole chef’s knives from Target at 1 South State Street before heading to the Red Line around 10:45 a.m. After sitting next to another passenger, Lawson pulled out two knives, one in each hand, and began carving on a plexiglass divider.
Then Lawson allegedly raised the knives behind two women and asked, “Do you want to die today?”
“Nobody wants to die today,” a man on the train said while standing up.
Lawson turned his attention to that man and followed him into another train car. There, he allegedly demanded the victim’s property while holding two knives. During the robbery, Lawson pulled out a third knife and took the victim’s wallet, backpack, phone, and other items, prosecutors said.
Lawson got off the train at the next station. Witnesses spotted police nearby and directed them to Lawson, who allegedly ran into a high-rise in the 500 block of North Michigan Avenue.
Chicago police sealed off the building and launched a search, ultimately finding Lawson holding a large knife on the 24th floor. Two more knives were also recovered, along with the victim’s stolen property.
Judge Michael Hood sentenced Lawson to 10 years. With good behavior, the term will be cut in half. Lawson also received credit for 1,011 days spent in the county jail while awaiting trial. His projected parole date is December 1, 2027.
