Man charged with breaking into car in Metra parking lot

A south suburban man has been charged with breaking into a car parked outside the Calumet Metra station Monday afternoon in East Hazel Crest.

A plainclothes detective spotted Elijah J. Muhammad rummaging through the trunk of a commuter’s vehicle in the lot near 174th Street and Wood, according to Metra police. The 21-year-old was arrested and charged with a felony count of burglary.

Muhammad, of the 400 block of Winnemac Street in Park Forest, was released on a recognizance bond of $20,000 after a Tuesday hearing, according to Cook County Circuit Court records. His next court date is Dec. 7.

Two other men were charged with breaking into Metra riders’ vehicles last week outside the Wrightwood station on the Southwest Side, and two boys were charged in January with burglaries near the Ashburn station.

Metra officials urge commuters to secure valuables and keep their vehicles locked. Suspicious activity can be reported at (312) 322-2800.