A woman was attacked and robbed near a Midlothian Metra station early Sunday, becoming the latest victim in a string of attacks in the south suburb.
The woman was walking home from the train around 12:30 a.m. Sunday near 145th Street and Trumbull Avenue when she was attacked, officials said.
The attacker was wearing a hooded sweatshirt with his face covered.
"The guy grabbed her by the back of her purse and then went around and punched her in the face, took her purse and her bag," said the victim's sister, who asked to not be named for safety concerns. "This has been going on here for at least several days."
Details about the attack were posted to a "community policing" page on Facebook.
Midlothian Police Chief Hal Kaufman advised residents on the page to take extra precautions following the attack.
"Everyone should try to not be out alone at night and to alert family/friends to where they are and when they are coming home," he wrote. "Being aware of our surroundings and looking out for each other is a great offense."
It is reportedly the fourth attack in the last month, but police could not say if the attacks were related.
Police said a woman was attacked around midnight July 29 near Central Park Avenue and Abbottsford Road by a masked man who punched her and stole her purse.
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The woman told police she saw the man walking behind two women on 146th Street and Abbottsford Road but when they entered a nearby residence, the man turned and started jogging in her direction. The woman ran, but the man sprinted after her and tackled her to the ground.
The man repeatedly punched the woman in the back of the head, ripped her black tote bag off her shoulder and ran southbound toward 147th Street, police said. The bag contained the woman’s wallet and personal papers.
"The guy ripped her purse right off the strap," said witness Debbie Faught, who came outside when she heard the woman scream. "We saw her. She was shaking horribly. Her glasses were broken and all her stuff was there by the corner."
The suspect was described as a light-skinned man, approximately 5-foot-9, weighing between 180 and 215 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a black ski mask and black pants, police said.
