Chicago Austin: CPD dispatched that several freight trains were being burglarized between Cicero and Lockwood. Lots of merchandise taken off trains and loaded into vehicles NBCSky5 has witnessed this. @metra and CPD in the area. Also @Metra delays. Live #NBCSky5 @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/8zJQhQonqc
— Mike Lorber (@NBCSky5) October 11, 2024
CHICAGO — At least six people were arrested Friday after a large group of thieves began looting a stopped Union Pacific intermodal train on Chicago’s West Side, an incident that also led an interruption of Metra commuter service for more than two hours during the Friday evening rush period.
WLS-TV reports police reported to the incident near the 400 block of North Lamon Avenue about 4 p.m. TV news helicopters captured images of large groups of people opening containers on the stopped train. A Union Pacific representative told the station “the train was stopped, waiting interchange with a partner railroad, when thieves began opening containers.”
WFLD-TV reports merchandise stolen included air fryers, other appliances, and flat-screen TVs; Union Pacific said some of the items had been recovered as of Friday night.
Metra service on the UP West line was halted before 5 p.m. near the Kedzie station because of “ongoing police activity,” the commuter operator announced on X.com, advising passengers to seek alternate transportation because of anticipated extensive delays. Service west of the incident scene resumed about 6:50 p.m., according to a later post on X, but service remained disrupted or delayed through the 11:40 p.m. departure from Chicago.
So, how did they get private vehicles into a railroad yard? And was the crew still there? If so, maybe some back and forth movement of the train might have been in order.
The train was stopped immediately adjacent to a public road. There is some video of the event.
What some call “looting”, others call “economic justice”…
They may have been arrested but IL has the most generous non-bail required laws so they could well be back on the streets.