Bike Peddling Purse Snatcher Nabbed In Walmart Parking Lot: Cops

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — A Chicago man is accused of riding up behind women on his bike and snatching their purses. James Jackson, 61, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on misdemeanor theft charges. The thefts occurred in various store parking lots in Evergreen Park.

On Nov. 25, the prosecutor said a man, later identified as Jackson, rode up behind a woman At Mariano’s, 2559 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park. Jackson allegedly grabbed the woman’s purse and rode away. The woman told police the cyclist as wearing a red coat, “distinctive” black pants and black shoes with white bottoms. Police said the woman’s purse was found the next day near 86th Street and Marshfield Avenue in Evergreen Park.

A similar incident was reported on Nov. 20 at Sam’s Club at 94th Street and Western Avenue. Police said a man on a bike wearing the same clothing rode up behind another woman and took her purse. The woman did not wish to file a complaint.

On Dec. 4, officers saw Jackson riding his bike toward a woman in the parking lot at Walmart, the prosecutor said. According to the complaint, officers recognized Jackson by his attire, who was wearing the same outfit from the earlier incidents.

Jackson was detained and taken to the Evergreen Park police station. He allegedly told police that purse found near 86th Street and Marshfield Avenue was near his brother’s house. The woman from the Mariano’s incident could not identify Jackson as the man on the bike who took her purse because he came up from behind, the prosecutor said. The thefts were reportedly captured in video surveillance.

Jackson has two felony convictions for aggravated criminal sexual assault and robbery from the 1980s.

Bail was set at $50,000. Jackson is due back in court Dec. 19 in Bridgeview.