Two Men Arrested for Red Line Robbery
CHICAGO — Two individuals have been apprehended for attacking and robbing a Red Line passenger after Chicago authorities utilized the city’s surveillance camera network and location data from an AirTag to track them down shortly after the incident, according to officials.
Christopher Owens, aged 19, and Claude Elder, aged 44, were taken into custody by Judge William Fahy, who noted that both men have a history of multiple criminal offenses.
The victim, a 20-year-old individual, boarded a train at 69th Street with his electric bike and was en route to make a delivery for DoorDash around 8 a.m. on December 22, as per court documents.
Between Sox-35th and Cermak-Chinatown stations, Owens and Elder reportedly approached the victim and engaged in conversation. Despite the victim’s limited understanding of English, he was able to discern hostile language from the suspects. When the victim indicated he did not want any trouble, Owens allegedly assaulted him by punching him in the face and brandishing a knife, while Elder restrained him in a chokehold and forcefully subdued him, the prosecution outlined in detention filings.
Subsequently, Owens and Elder seized the victim’s electric bike and boarded a southbound train at Cermak station. The victim disembarked at Roosevelt station and promptly reported the incident to patrolling officers.
Following the robbery, the victim contacted a friend who had gifted him the bike, providing details of the theft. The friend swiftly arrived at the scene and furnished law enforcement with information regarding the bike’s description, make and model, as well as the real-time location data from an AirTag affixed to it.
Based on this information, police officers located Elder and Owens attempting to enter a motel room in the 7600 block of South Cottage Grove around 8:40 a.m., standing next to the stolen bike.
Judge Fahy’s detention orders highlighted Elder’s prior record of eight felony convictions and recent release from parole, as well as Owens’ extensive juvenile history and ongoing pretrial release for a separate juvenile case at the time of the robbery.
Both individuals are facing charges of aggravated robbery and aggravated battery of a transit passenger.
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