Chicago police are trying to find a group of young people who allegedly attacked and robbed a senior citizen on the CTA last week. The attack happened on July 8 on an Orange Line train. According to police, at least 10 young individuals approached the male victim, got into a physical altercation with him, and forcibly took his debit card.
The suspects were described as Black males and females, between 14 and 22 years old. Anyone with information should contact the Chicago Police Department’s Mass Transit detectives at 312-745-4447. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at CPDtip.com.
Michael Manning, a 63-year-old man, was attacked by more than a dozen teenagers on the Orange Line train in downtown Chicago on Monday night. Manning, who has lived in Chicago all his life, told FOX 32 that he was keeping to himself after a 12-hour workday and was looking forward to getting home when the group targeted him.
“This was surreal. I was so shocked. I think I went numb,” Manning said. He explained that it was after 11 p.m. when the group boarded the train at the LaSalle/Van Buren stop. “I knew right away that this was not going to end well, no matter what I said or did,” Manning said. “I stood up, and I’m 6’4″, and I guess that was not a good move because I immediately got punched in the back of the head, which sent me forward into the group. They were like, ‘Oh, you’re trying to start something with us!’ Then it was like I was running through a gauntlet of fists.”
Manning said the group consisted of more than a dozen boys and girls. “They just pounded on me, and I knew I had to get off this car to avoid getting seriously hurt,” he explained. He managed to get off one stop later at Quincy, but the group followed and continued the assault. They left him bloodied on the platform, stealing only a few of his belongings before getting back on the train.
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Manning said it could have been much worse and hopes future victims manage to escape as he did. “I don’t understand how you can have this type of lawlessness and complete disregard for basic humanity. And there’s no checks and balances anywhere,” Manning said. He added that he won’t be taking the train anytime soon but is working with Chicago police officers who are trying to find footage of the attackers. The CTA is also investigating the incident.
