Woman Turns Herself in After Violent Red Line Train Robbery
A woman has surrendered to authorities after being charged with participating in a violent robbery aboard a CTA Red Line train last month. Aallyah Gist, 23, turned herself in after Chicago police released surveillance images of five suspects to news outlets. Four juveniles are also facing charges in connection with the attack.
According to prosecutors, the incident took place on June 21 when a 28-year-old woman and a friend boarded a southbound Red Line train at Roosevelt around 1:45 a.m. When the train reached the Garfield stop, a group of males and females boarded, and the victim recognized several of the males as individuals who had previously attacked her.
Feeling unsafe, the woman moved closer to the door, but one of the males she recognized unzipped the backpack she was wearing. When she tried to protect it by moving it to the front of her body, several members of the group began punching her and trying to take the bag. The victim fell to the train floor, landing on top of her backpack as the group continued to strike her and take the bag.
As the victim was being restrained by one of the males, Gist approached and kicked her repeatedly in the head and body. One of the males then used a knife to cut the straps of the bag, which the group took before fleeing the train at 69th Street. The victim also exited there and alerted K-9 security personnel.
Surveillance cameras captured the attack, and detectives released some of the images to the public on June 28. Gist subsequently surrendered to authorities and admitted to her involvement in the incident. She also identified herself as the person who kicked the victim, according to prosecutors.
Despite the state’s detention petition, Judge Luciano Panici Jr. released Gist on electronic monitoring as she has no criminal background, as per court records.
Along with Gist, four juveniles have been charged in connection with the robbery. Three boys, aged 14 and 15, are facing charges of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon. A 14-year-old girl is charged with armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, robbery, and aggravated battery to a transit employee. Due to state law, no further details about the juveniles are available as their records are protected.
