Watch CBS News

CTA Bus Driver Helps Police Nab Blue Line Robbers

CHICAGO (STMW) - An "alert" CTA bus driver is being credited with helping police nab two men who attacked and robbed a Blue Line passenger Tuesday, then hopped a bus to the north suburbs.

Bond was set at $200,000 each on Wednesday for Tevon Woods and Alvon Hoskins, both 20, of Chicago, who were charged with robbery after being arrested at a Wendy's restaurant in Niles.

Woods was in line ordering and Hoskins was hiding in a bathroom, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.

Prosecutors said the victim was listening to music on his iPhone when he got off a Blue Line train at the Harlem station. The suspects grabbed him from behind by his backpack and pulled him down the escalator to the platform.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts Reports

Podcast

The backpack was ripped off him with such force that the straps broke and it was thrown onto the tracks, the release said. The men then grabbed the iPhone and ran off.

They boarded a northbound Harlem CTA bus, where the driver overheard their suspicious conversation and called police after dropping them off at the restaurant at 7243 N. Harlem in Niles.

Police responded to the Wendy's, and took Woods into custody while he was standing in line to order food. Hoskins was found hiding in the restroom and police recovered the victim's iPhone in the garbage can in the bathroom, the release said.

Both men, who were identified by the victim, are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Aug. 23. They face up to seven years in prison each if convicted.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.