A Repeat Offender: Nathan Emerson Charged with Robbery and Drug Possession
A man with a history of violence, Nathan Emerson, 28, found himself in trouble with the law once again. Recently charged with robbery, Emerson’s criminal activities have escalated from breaking a tourist’s nose on a Loop CTA platform to participating in a violent robbery of a CTA rider in the Loop this summer.
The August 13 robbery took place at the State and Lake Red Line station around 7 a.m. Prosecutors described the incident as a brutal attack on rider Pierre Divoko Nzoko, where Emerson and several others punched him on a CTA train before stealing his phone, wallet, and bag. Emerson later confessed to his involvement in the attack.
After CPD released surveillance images of the suspects, Emerson was eventually apprehended for another robbery at a Lakeview gas station on December 2. This time, he allegedly threatened an employee with a knife while his accomplice stole 54 packs of Newport cigarettes. Emerson was arrested shortly after the incident and found in possession of suspected cocaine and oxycodone.
Judge Rivanda Doss Beal, noting Emerson’s history of violence, ordered his detention. Emerson, facing charges of robbery and drug possession, was already on parole for a previous attack in April 2023, where he broke a man’s nose on the Jackson Red Line platform.
