CHICAGO — A man with a history of violent offenses and easily recognizable face tattoos was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery after allegedly mugging a passenger on a CTA Orange Line train in the Loop last month, according to prosecutors and court records.
Leonard Johnson, 26, was apprehended after CTA surveillance footage and witness descriptions helped investigators identify him as the suspect. His distinct facial tattoos — including a crown and the letters “RIP” — played a key role in the identification.
Robbery Occurred in Broad Daylight on CTA Train
The incident happened around 1 p.m. on June 18, when a 27-year-old man was exiting the train. According to a report by CWB Chicago, Johnson allegedly blocked the train door, implied he had a weapon, and demanded money.
The victim initially handed over a $20 bill, then asked if the suspect would accept a $5 bill instead. Johnson allegedly took both and responded, “You just got robbed.”
The victim immediately notified authorities, providing a description that matched Johnson’s mugshot history. Surveillance footage from the CTA platform confirmed the match, leading police to arrest Johnson a few days later on the 100 block of West Lake Street.
Repeat Offender with a Long Rap Sheet
At the time of this latest incident, Johnson was already on pretrial release for felony retail theft and had just completed parole for a 2018 carjacking in Lincoln Park. His criminal record, prosecutors said, includes multiple violent offenses as both a juvenile and an adult.
In 2018, Johnson was caught on CTA Red Line surveillance footage as the ringleader in a robbery crew that surrounded a man, demanded his wallet, and attempted to use the victim’s ATM card at the Grand station. He was later sentenced to three years in prison.
In 2021, Johnson and two others were also charged in connection with a carjacking near Armitage. The group pulled a man from his car, stole it, and used the victim’s credit card at a nearby gas station. Once again, Johnson was identified through video footage from the scene.
Courtroom Outburst at Detention Hearing
During Johnson’s initial court appearance for the train robbery charge, Judge James Costello ordered him held in detention after an outburst where Johnson threatened the assistant state’s attorney, prompting court deputies to remove him from the hearing.
Prosecutors emphasized Johnson’s pattern of criminal activity and his disregard for legal consequences as justification for continued detention.
Have you ever witnessed or experienced a crime on the CTA? How safe do you feel riding public transit in Chicago? Share your thoughts with us in the comments at chicagosuburbanfamily.com.
