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Parolee Accused of Choking and Robbing Cabbies, Stealing Taxis

By Erica Demarest | December 18, 2014 5:57am
 Cerriado Walton, 35, recently was paroled for stealing a taxi and robbing several cab drivers.
Cerriado Walton, 35, recently was paroled for stealing a taxi and robbing several cab drivers.
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Creative Commons/Mark Tarlock

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Morgan Park man recently paroled for stealing a taxi and robbing cab drivers was back in court this week after prosecutors said he stole a taxi and robbed cab drivers.

Though Cerriado Walton, 35, was only charged in three recent incidents, he told police he's robbed as many as 10 cabbies in the last month, according to Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti.

The recent spree started on Dec. 3 when Walton stole a 2014 Toyota Prius taxi in the 11600 block of Ashland Avenue in West Pullman, prosecutors said. Court records show Walton took three cellphones, $100 cash, a wallet, credit cards and ID from the driver.

The next day, Walton took a cab to the 11500 block of South Justine Street. According to Antonietti, he asked the driver for change, and when the driver reached for money, Walton grabbed the man by the throat and took $200. Prosecutors said the incident was caught on surveillance video.

On Dec. 10, Walton again took a taxi to the 11500 block of Justine. Once there, Antonietti said, he reached from the back seat and grabbed the driver by the neck. Walton made off with $500, according to court records.

Walton was arrested Tuesday and charged with vehicular hijacking and three counts of robbery. He told police he'd robbed seven to 10 cab drivers in the last month, Antonietti said.

According to prosecutors, victims identified Walton in photo arrays and security footage.

Walton had been released on parole on Oct. 17 after serving time for vehicular hijacking and robbery, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections website. Antonietti said Walton also targeted taxis and cab drivers in those incidents.

On Wednesday, Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. ordered Walton held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

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