A local news helicopter in Chicago captured the moment that dozens of thieves raided a freight cargo train in broad daylight on Friday, stealing televisions and air fryers before being confronted by police.
ABC Chicago’s chopper broadcast live from the scene on the west side of Chicago, including as officers arrived on the scene with their guns drawn. One news anchor even asked to “break away” from the live shot, worrying that there could be a shooting.
However, there were no reports of shots fired. At least six people were arrested.
The looters targeted the train as it stopped and waited an interchange with a partner railroad around 2:40 p.m. The suspects were armed with guns and lock openers, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
The thieves had been ransacking the train for nearly an hour before police arrived on scene, witnesses told ABC7.
Some of the stolen merchandise was recovered, according to Union Pacific.
“Rail burglaries are not victimless crimes, and they pose a safety threat to the public, our employees and local law enforcement officers,” a Union Pacific spokesperson told Fox News.
In August, looters raided another freight train on the city’s West Side and made off with boxes full of TVs.