Red Line robber identified after shoplifting in same clothes, police say

Chicago Man Arrested for Attempted Robbery on CTA Red Line

A Chicago man, Ventrel Murphy, has been charged with attempted robbery after allegedly targeting a passenger on the southbound Red Line train on February 21. The incident occurred when Murphy and an unidentified accomplice approached the victim, struck and kicked him, and attempted to steal his brown duffle bag. Fortunately, the victim managed to hold onto his belongings and escape at the Garfield station.

After exiting the train at 79th Street, Murphy and his accomplice traveled to Chicago Avenue where Murphy was arrested for shoplifting at a Whole Foods store around 8:30 a.m. However, it was not long before officers recognized him from surveillance footage of the robbery incident.

Upon reviewing body camera footage from his shoplifting arrest, investigators noticed that Murphy was wearing the same clothes in both the body cam and CTA surveillance videos. Subsequently, Murphy was spotted on the Red Line at 47th Street, leading to his arrest for the robbery charge. Additionally, he had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in court for the shoplifting case.

During a court hearing, Judge James Costello ordered Murphy to be detained on the attempted robbery count.