Alert Bus Driver Helps Police Nab Two Attackers

After a victim was forcefully attacked and robbed on the CTA Blue Line elevated train's Harlem Avenue station, in Chicago near Niles and Park Ridge, a CTA bus driver helped police arrest them in Niles, according to the office of Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Tevon Woods, and Alvon Hoskins, both 20, of Chicago, were each charged with one count of robbery. They face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors said the victim was listening to his iPhone Tuesday when he exited the train at the Harlem Avenue station. Woods and Hoskins grabbed him forcefully and pulled him down the station's escalator. They exerted so much force that when they ripped off his backpack, the straps broke. The bag was thrown on the tracks. 

After taking the victim’s iPhone, Woods and Hoskins left the station and boarded a northbound Harlem CTA Bus. The bus driver heard them talking and, after dropping them off at a fast food restaurant in Niles, called police. The state's attorney's office did not provide the name of the Niles restaurant. 

Chicago police arrived at the restaurant and apprehended Woods while he was in line to order food. They found Hoskins in the restroom. They recovered the victim's iPhone in the restroom garbage container. The victim identified both offenders.

Woods and Hoskins appeared in bond court Wednesday where Cook County Circuit Court Judge Peggy Chiampas set bond at $200,000 each and continued the case to August 23rd.

This information was provided by the Cook County state's attorney's office. Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.