Woman's Face Slashed During Robbery On Blue Line Platform
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A woman suffered a deep gash to her face, when she was attacked and robbed on a subway platform in the Loop.
The woman was at the Clark/Lake station on the Blue Line around 4 a.m., when a robber slashed her face and stole her cell phone. A source said she suffered a deep gash to her cheek.
Steven Lucas saw the attack and helped police catch the robber. He didn't want to go on camera, but described his encounter as he followed the attacker while talking to police on the phone.
"He pulled out a knife. I grabbed a plastic 'wet floor' sign. He started to flee. I followed him for three blocks as he threatened to cut me as well," Lucas said. "I called the police and continued to tell him I wasn't afraid of his knife, and that he was going to jail."
While sitting in an ambulance, it appeared the victim identified her attacker before he was taken away.
CTA rider Cleophus Williams said he was relieved someone helped the victim by calling police.
"This city is pretty nice on that, especially most people, good people," he said.
Police said the victim's cell phone was recovered, as was a knife.
Charges were pending against her attacker.
Police said investigators will review surveillance video from CTA security cameras. They also reminded commuters to take safety precautions when riding mass transit.
"Just keep your cell phones out of sight. You don't need to be looking at that while you're traveling," Police Sgt. Craig Roberts said.
The victim was in stable condition, and will be released from the hospital after receiving stitches for the gash on her cheek.