Police Release Images Of Suspects In Near North Red Line Attacks

CHICAGO — Police have released surveillance images of six suspects who are wanted in connection with attacks at a Red Line stop on the city's Near North Side. Police said a mob of teenagers attacked three people on the Chicago Red Line platform around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

One of the teens in the group asked a 26-year-old man if he was recording them, and when he denied it, the group began punching him, according to a report by the Sun-Times. The teens also attacked a 29-year-old woman and her 28-year-old boyfriend.

All three victims were treated for lacerations and bruising, the Chicago Fire Department said. The 28-year-old later learned that his eye socket was fractured, the Sun-Times reported.

In the wake of the attack, the Chicago Police Department announced additional officers would be patrolling downtown streets for New Year's celebrations.

A mob of teens also caused early business closures in Water Tower Place and a temporary closure of a McDonald's on the Near North Side Saturday night, authorities said.

Several stores were disrupted, innocent bystanders were assaulted and public property was damaged, Ald. Brian Hopkins said in a letter to residents. "This event was perpetrated by an organized group primarily of juveniles, who planned and coordinated their criminal activity, traveling en masse on the Red Line and exiting together at Chicago and State."

"The 18th District patrol officers responded immediately and appropriately, but unfortunately, they had no advance warning that such a large group of youth was assembling, and therefore the police were vastly outnumbered," Hopkins said. "Some time passed before reinforcements could arrive and re-gain control of the streets."

The alderman said he's working with police to improve safety measures and response times.

The suspects are wanted for aggravated battery. They are described as between 15 and 19 years old, ranging from 5-foot-6 to 6 feet tall.

Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8380.

Images via Chicago Police Department