Prosecutors report that a Chicago man accused of attempting to rob a CTA passenger on the Red Line was apprehended after police recognized him from surveillance footage during a separate shoplifting arrest, less than 90 minutes later.
Ventrel Murphy, aged 30, faces charges of attempted robbery following an incident on the morning of February 21, where he and an unidentified accomplice allegedly targeted a passenger on a southbound Red Line train.
Police state that Murphy and his accomplice boarded the train at the Roosevelt station around 7 a.m. As the victim entered the same car at Sox-35th, the duo reportedly assaulted him and attempted to steal his brown duffle bag. Despite the attack, the victim managed to retain his bag and escaped at the Garfield station.
Murphy and his accomplice are believed to have exited at 79th Street, then took a northbound train to Chicago Avenue. According to prosecutors, Murphy went into a nearby Whole Foods and was arrested for shoplifting at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Upon reviewing body camera footage from Murphy’s shoplifting arrest, investigators realized he matched the appearance of one of the Red Line robbers. He was wearing the same clothing in both the body cam and CTA surveillance videos, according to prosecutors.
Police later spotted Murphy on the Red Line at 47th Street, recognized him, and took him into custody on the robbery charge. Court records also indicate that Murphy had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court regarding the Whole Foods shoplifting incident.
Judge James Costello has detained Murphy on the attempted robbery charge.
