CHICAGO (WLS) — A man has now been charged in a robbery on the CTA Blue Line where an expensive violin was taken, Chicago police said.
The video in the player above is from a previous report.
The man who had his expensive violin stolen on a CTA train in downtown Chicago on Friday night recently shared his story with ABC7. He mentioned that the violin holds great sentimental value for him, besides being worth thousands of dollars.
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Police said the robbery happened on a CTA Blue Line train at 117 W. Lake St. around 9 p.m. Friday.
According to the Chicago Police Department, Timothy Johnson, a 39-year-old from Chicago, is now facing several charges related to the theft. These include felony robbery and three misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
Authorities described the stolen violin as being valued at $10,000 and being kept in a black case with a unique wood grain finish on the back. Since it was a custom-made instrument, it does not bear a serial number.
Cyrus Spurlock said this wasn’t the kind of violin you can buy at a store. It was a handcrafted family heirloom and something he describes as “irreplaceable.”
Spurlock, a student at the Art Institute of Chicago, says his violin was handmade by his older brother.
Chicago Police Department
Spurlock spent Friday evening speaking to police, after he said he noticed two men waiting outside the train car he was riding on the CTA Blue Line. He said it happened at the Clark and Lake stop.
Spurlock said that person took away a piece of him he’s afraid he may never get back.
Despite charges being filed, it was not yet known if investigators have located the missing violin.
Spurlock said there will be a reward for anyone who can bring information that leads to the violin being returned.
Police asked anyone with information to call them at 312-745-4447 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference RD#JJ-214845.
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