Crime & Safety
Off-Duty Cops Thwart Cell Phone Robbery
When the officers heard shouting outside the Montrose Brown Line station, they sprang into action to catch a suspect.
Two off-duty police officers caught a suspect who they say stole an iPhone near the Montrose Brown Line Monday night.
The victim was reportedly using his phone around 9:45 p.m. while on a northbound train. When the train stopped at Montrose, the suspect grabbed the phone and ran, police say.
The victim chased after the thief yelling, "He stole my phone," Chicago Police Sgt. Jason Clark said. Clark works in the department's 19th district, which covers Northcenter.
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Two off-duty police officers were inside the nearby Margie's Candies when they heard the yelling. They caught up with the victim, who saw the man hiding behind a car on the 4400 block of North Wolcott Ave.
Reinforcements from Beat 1915 arrived, and police were able to arrest and charge the suspected offender. Officers returned the cellphone to the victim.
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"That's why we really need people to put away their iPhones," Clark said. "Don't have them out in public—all they're doing is advertising that property. We can't stress that enough."
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