Over the weekend in Chicago, a violent crime took place on a Chicago Transit Authority train in downtown Chicago. The incident involved the robbery and strangling of a 49-year-old man. The victim was reportedly beaten, choked, and robbed while riding the train. Police responded swiftly to the situation and managed to apprehend four suspects within 45 minutes of the crime.
The suspects, aged between 18 and 22, are facing serious felony charges of robbery and aggravated battery strangle. They provided an address on the 300 block of South Plymouth Court. Interestingly, this block is home to a city-run migrant shelter that was established in a former private club last May. The shelter currently houses over 700 migrants, with a capacity to accommodate up to 1,200 individuals.
Chicago police have refrained from confirming the legal status or exact residence of the suspects. The city has been grappling with a significant influx of migrants since August 2022, with over 35,000 individuals transported from the southern border to Chicago. Of these migrants, 13,000 have been relocated to shelters, incurring substantial costs for the city.
In response to the crisis, the governor and the Cook County board president have requested an additional $250 million from the state legislature to address the situation. The city has already spent a considerable sum dealing with the migrant influx, prompting growing concerns and debates over the financial burden and appropriate measures to be taken.
The four accused individuals are currently in custody and are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow to face the charges brought against them.
