Man With Brass Knuckles Stole iPhone, Punched Victim in Face: Prosecutors

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A South Side man is being held on $275,000 after using brass knuckles to rob a student near the 35th Street Red Line Station.

Dwayne Riley, 41, approached the student in the 3300 block of South Wentworth Avenue after the student got off the "L" Thursday, prosecutors said.

Riley, of the 4100 block of South Indiana Avenue, was allegedly wearing brass knuckles on his right hand when he walked up to the man with his "right fist raised up and stated, 'Let me see your phone,'" according to court documents.

The student handed over his iPhone 4, and then tried to convince Riley to give it back in exchange for all the money he had, which was $6, according Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto.

Riley opted instead to take the $6 and the student's CTA pass, and punch the student in the face using the brass knuckles before fleeing the scene.

A witness who saw the attack notified the police and after a brief foot chase, Riley was arrested less than 10 minutes after the robbery, officials said.

The student, whose school was not listed in court documents, identified Riley on the scene. When asked why he had the phone, CTA card and $6 in his possession, Riley said a stranger gave them to him.

Friday, Riley was charged with theft and armed robbery, a Class X felony.

Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan ordered Riley held on $275,000 bond.