At least four people were arrested after a chaotic scene erupted on Metra's Union Pacific-West line in Chicago, with video showing people reportedly stealing boxes from freight trains, authorities said.
Video from NBC's Sky 5 chopper showed what appeared to be nearly a dozen people taking boxes off freight trains in the area of Lake Street and Lockwood Avenue in the Austin neighborhood. Groups were seen carrying boxes from the trains, loading the items into vans and cars and driving away from the scene. Debris was seen strewn across the tracks as the incident unfolded. What was inside the trains wasn't immediately clear.
According to Chicago police, at around 2:40 p.m., officers responded to the 4700 block of West Kinzie regarding a theft in progress at a railroad. One person attempted to flee after taking property from a train car, police said. That person and a second individual were taken into custody, authorities said.
Union Pacific, which operates the line, said late Friday a total of six people were arrested, and some of the stolen merchandise had been recovered.
"The train was stopped, awaiting an interchange with a partner railroad, when thieves began opening containers," a UP spokesperson said in a statement. Rail burglaries are not victimless crimes, and they pose a safety threat to the public, our employees and local law enforcement officers."
The thefts occurred at the height of the afternoon rush hour, causing delays for commuters. In the most recent update at 6:50 p.m., Metra said UP-W service will resume between Elburn to Maywood. Service between Maywood and Chicago remained suspended.
Local
At around 4:58 p.m., trains on the UP-West line, both inbound and outbound, were stopped near Kedzie, according to Metra.
"Extensive delays are anticipated," an alert to riders stated. "Metra encourages customers to seek alternate transportation at this time. Updates will be provided as information becomes available."
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