A 65-year-old man with a historical past of pickpocketing on Chicago’s transit system is as soon as once more accused of stealing wallets from ladies on the CTA Blue Line within the Loop, prosecutors stated.
Edward Miller, who acquired a two-year jail sentence for theft and id theft in reference to related Blue Line incidents in 2020, is charged with three counts of theft within the newest instances.
Prosecutors stated CTA surveillance video reveals Miller and an confederate working collectively on a number of events to distract and steal from riders.
In a single case, on September 18 on the Washington Blue Line station, the confederate blocked the trail of a girl visiting from California whereas Miller reached into her purse and took her pockets containing identification, bank cards, and $400 in money, prosecutors stated. The sufferer’s playing cards had been used shortly afterward to make $1,127 in purchases.
In one other case on Might 13, additionally on the Washington station, prosecutors stated Miller switched roles. He allegedly blocked a 72-year-old lady’s path whereas the confederate eliminated her clutch purse containing bank cards and $3 in money. These playing cards had been used minutes later to purchase $216 price of merchandise at a close-by retailer.
The third theft occurred on December 21, 2024, on the Monroe Blue Line station. Prosecutors stated Miller bumped right into a 23-year-old lady and eliminated her pockets whereas one other particular person blocked her path. Surveillance footage allegedly reveals Miller utilizing a crimson material to hide his hand as he reached into the lady’s tote bag.
Miller, who has been arrested quite a few instances for related crimes on CTA trains and platforms, is a well-recognized acquainted to transit officers. His 2020 conviction additionally stemmed from a string of thefts concentrating on Blue Line passengers within the downtown space.
Authorities consider they know who Miller’s confederate was within the newest thefts, however we’re not naming him as a result of he has not but been charged.
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