On March 21st, 2021, an aggravated criminal sexual assault and robbery occurred in the 3200 block of North Kenmore. The victim told police that after exiting the CTA Red Line station at Belmont, she felt that she was being followed, and a short time later, she was attacked.
After receiving this information, the Public Transportation Technology Center reviewed video from CTA cameras, and they were able to capture images of a person of interest. CTA Security released a Law Enforcement Bulletin with these images seeking to identify this offender.
Thanks to the issuance of this bulletin and through further investigation, Area 3 detectives were able to identify the offender from this aggravated criminal sexual assault. It was also learned that a year earlier, the offender had been arrested, charged and convicted for a similar type of assault where he beat, robbed and attempted to sexually assault another victim on a Red Line train near the Morse Ave stop. For this incident, he received probation.
The investigation also revealed the offender was wanted on an unrelated arrest warrant. On Mar 25, Detectives working in the Public Transportation Section were able to locate this wanted offender.
Detectives then directed Tactical Officers from the Chicago Police Department’s Public Transportation Section to the location where they observed an individual matching the description of the offender. These Officers approached him for a field investigation and correctly identified the individual, who was then placed into custody. Thanks to skillful interviewing by Area 3 detectives, the offender gave statements fully implicating himself in this incident.
Due to a coordinated effort by Detectives, the Public Transportation Technology Center Officers, and the Public Transportation Tactical Team, a dangerous sexual predator was charged with numerous violent felonies and removed from the streets. He is presently in Cook County Jail awaiting trial with no bond.
Congratulations on a job well done, and it is truly an honor to name these officers our May Officers of the Month presented by Police Mortgage.
Detective Samantha Nickeas, Chicago Police Department
Detective Justin Michna, Chicago Police Department
Officer Edward Brooks, Chicago Police Department
Officer Maurice Guerin, Chicago Police Department
Officer Mason Jose, Chicago Police Department
Officer Warren Weaver, Chicago Police Department