Police warn of pickpockets on North Side CTA buses, trains

Police are warning North Side commuters after a series of pickpocket thefts on CTA buses and trains over the last month in the Uptown, Lake View and Lincoln Park neighborhoods.

People alone on trains, platforms, buses and bus stops have been approached by one or more people who then steal property from their pockets, according to a community alert from Town Hall District detectives.

The thefts happened:

–in the 900 block of West Belmont about 5 p.m. Oct. 25,

–in the 1100 block of West Wilson about 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25,

–in the 900 block of West Addison about 1 a.m. Oct. 31,

–in the 900 block of West Fullerton about 4 p.m. Nov. 6,

–in the 600 block of West Deming about 10:30 p.m. Nov. 6, and

–in the 900 block of West Wellington about 3:30 a.m. Nov. 22.

In the Belmont theft, the suspect was described as a 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 man in a light green sweatshirt and blue jeans with wavy brown or blond “dirty, scraggly hair.” The Wellington theft was carried out by a 5-foot-10, 160-pound man in a three-quarter-length coat, black jeans and a red skull cap, police said.

Anyone with information should call Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.