Police: Panhandler Attacked Man At Belmont 'L' Stop
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police say a panhandler over the weekend followed a man off an 'L' train at the busy Belmont stop, then attacked the man and knocked him to the ground for giving him a mere $2.
Timothy Anderson, 30, was panhandling on an 'L' train just after 6 p.m. Sunday near the Belmont Red-Brown-Purple Line stop, police said.
The 32-year-old victim gave Anderson a couple of dollars, then got off the train, police said.
But Anderson was not happy that the man had given him only $2, police said. So he followed the man out onto the platform at the Belmont stop and punched him in the head, causing the victim to strike his head on the ground, police said.
Police were called, and several bystanders chase the panhandler down. Anderson was caught by police a few blocks away in the 3100 block of North Clark Street.
The victim, who was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for a cut to the head and other facial injuries, positively identified Anderson as the man who got money from him, then punched him, police said.
Anderson, 30, of the 3200 block of West Fulton Street, was charged with one felony count of aggravated battery, police said. He was scheduled to appear in court later Tuesday.
Panhandling is not allowed on CTA trains. A recorded message that plays on every 'L' line reminds passengers that violating this rule is grounds for arrest in itself.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
