Repeat Offender Strikes Again on CTA Blue Line
A notorious 65-year-old pickpocket with a history of targeting women on Chicago’s transit system has been arrested once more for stealing wallets on the CTA Blue Line in the Loop, according to prosecutors.
Edward Miller, who previously served a two-year prison sentence for theft and identity theft related to similar incidents on the Blue Line in 2020, now faces three counts of theft in connection with the recent cases.
Prosecutors allege that surveillance footage from CTA cameras captured Miller and an accomplice collaborating to distract and pilfer from unsuspecting riders.
One incident took place on September 18 at the Washington Blue Line station, where Miller and his accomplice targeted a woman visiting from California. While the accomplice blocked the victim’s path, Miller allegedly swiped her wallet containing identification, credit cards, and $400 in cash. The stolen cards were subsequently used to make unauthorized purchases totaling $1,127.
Another theft occurred on May 13 at the same station, where Miller allegedly obstructed a 72-year-old woman while his accomplice snatched her clutch purse containing credit cards and $3 in cash. The stolen cards were quickly used to buy $216 worth of goods at a nearby store.
The third incident occurred on December 21, 2024, at the Monroe Blue Line station. Prosecutors claim that Miller intentionally bumped into a 23-year-old woman and discreetly removed her wallet from her tote bag, all while another individual blocked her path.
Miller’s criminal record includes multiple arrests for similar offenses on CTA trains and platforms, making him a familiar face to transit officers. His previous conviction in 2020 was the result of a series of thefts targeting Blue Line passengers in the downtown area.
While authorities believe they have identified Miller’s accomplice in the recent thefts, the individual has not yet been charged.
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