Wicker Park Man Arrested For Pushing Rider Onto CTA Tracks

CHICAGO, IL — Police arrested a 34-year-old Wicker Park man Monday who is accused of pushing a rider off of a CTA platform and onto the train tracks. Chad M. Estep, 34, of the 1700 block of West Ellen Street, Chicago, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery in a public place. He also is charged with trespassing on a CTA platform without paying.

The incident happened while a 46-year-old man was waiting to board a Blue Line train around 11:30 a.m. at the Washington Station at 19 N. Dearborn St. The rider was shoved from the platform by the suspect, who continued to harass the victim while he was on the tracks. The suspect also did not allow the victim back up on the platform.

Witnesses to the attack eventually helped the victim, and he was able to get back on the platform. The victim hurt his right wrist in the fall. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Bucktown and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

RELATED: Man Pushed CTA Rider Onto Tracks At Loop Blue Line Station

Estep was "positively identified" as the suspect in the incident. He was arrested at around 5:10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at his home. A bail hearing for Estep is set for Tuesday.

Originally, Chicago police and CTA did not issue a public alert about the attack. Investigators said the reason for that was because they believed the attack was an isolated incident. Photos of the suspect were given to police officer and CTA security workers, however.

A video from a station security camera allegedly showing the suspect was eventually released to the public by police more than a month after the attack.

Chad M. Estep, 34 (Photo via Chicago Police Department)

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