COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Safe Passage worker who is supposed to be helping get kids to school safely is now accused of punching a mother in the face and stealing her Link benefits card in two separate incidents, according to police.
A police report filed against Lashia Brown, 22, doesn't specify when the alleged incidents happened or where, but it indicates she was employed during one of the alleged crimes as a Safe Passage worker, part of the teams of residents charged with getting Chicago kids to school safely.
Brown, of West Garfield Park, is charged with misdemeanor battery and identity theft after she allegedly attacked the woman and stole her Link card in the two separate incidents, according to court documents.
Brown is accused of using the stolen Link card to withdraw $435, according to court papers.
The alleged victim, Dominique Mccregg, 27, said Brown was wearing a Safe Passage jacket when Mccregg's Link card was stolen at a CVS.
In a separate incident, Mccregg was with her 3-year-old daughter when Brown attacked her. Mccregg said that happened at an In-N-Out Food Mart in the 4200 block of West Madison Street.
"She shouldn't be working at Safe Passage at all," Mccregg said of Brown. "She do exactly the opposite. She's supposed to be protecting people but she be out here doing wrong things."
Mccregg said her daughter was frightened by the fight.
"She backed up next to the corner," she said. "She was looking very scared and she was crying."
One of the incidents was captured on CVS surveillance video, authorities said.
CPS released a statement about the incident late Thursday.
"With the safety of our children a top priority, CPS takes these allegations very seriously and is working with the safe passage vendor on looking into these claims and will take appropriate action," it said.
Brown, of the 100 block of North Kostner Street, was arrested Tuesday in the 3100 block of West Madison Street, according to court records.
She was ordered held on $10,000 bail Thursday when she appeared in court for a brief hearing.
