A 23-year-old Calumet City resident has been making headlines in Chicago this year, with multiple arrests including incidents on the CTA. The most recent accusation against him involves the sexual assault of a disabled woman after pushing her out of her wheelchair at a downtown Red Line station.
According to prosecutors at a detention hearing, the 33-year-old disabled woman was on an inbound Red Line train when Rasheed Griffin boarded her car near Belmont around 2:45 a.m. As the train continued towards downtown, Griffin allegedly wrapped his legs around her wheelchair, kissed and groped her, and made inappropriate sexual comments.
Surveillance footage from the CTA showed Griffin wheeling the victim off the train at Jackson and pushing her onto an elevator. The woman later reported that she could feel Griffin pleasuring himself behind her inside the elevator.
The video allegedly captured Griffin wheeling her off the elevator and knocking her wheelchair over, causing the woman to fall to the ground. She struggled to breathe from the impact before Griffin reportedly sexually assaulted her. The victim screamed for help, catching the attention of a CTA customer service agent who alerted a security guard. The guard took a photo of Griffin as he fled the scene, leading to his arrest at the State and Lake Red Line station shortly after.
During the hearing, Judge James Costello ordered Griffin to be detained on charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault of a handicapped person, aggravated battery in a public place, and aggravated battery of a handicapped person.
This incident marks Griffin’s sixth arrest in Chicago this year and his third in just six weeks. In previous arrests, he faced charges of possessing a controlled substance, resisting arrest, misdemeanor battery, and failing to appear in court. Despite facing a 35-day sentence for the battery charge, he was released immediately due to accumulated day-for-day credit while on electronic monitoring.
The repeated arrests and escalating charges against Griffin raise concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the justice system in addressing his behavior. The case highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing individuals with a history of criminal behavior and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations, such as disabled individuals using public transportation.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and prompt action in responding to criminal behavior, especially when it involves vulnerable members of the community. The swift response from CTA staff and law enforcement in apprehending Griffin underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers using public transportation in Chicago.
