Chicago
Metra train halted; passengers searched
Metra BNSF Line trains are stopped in the west suburbs this morning as police armed with semi-automatic weapons evacuated and searched train passengers in Lisle, officials said.
Metra spokesman Tom Miller said the No. 1252 express train had been stopped at the Lisle station since around 8 a.m., but only said “police activity” was the reason and had no further comment. The express train, scheduled to arrive at Chicago’s Union Station at 8:34 a.m., was not scheduled to stop at the Lisle.
A source said a passenger reported overhearing a male passenger say he had a gun and called police from a cell phone. Riders were cleared from the first three train cars and were being searched this morning, one witness said.....
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/01/metra-train-halted-passengers-searched.html
Update on Chicago Metra train incident:
Metra train stopped in Lisle due to police activity
Metra trains headed into and out of Chicago have been stopped and thousands of passengers delayed as police investigate reports of a suspicious man who may or may not be on one of those trains in Lisle.
Just before 8 a.m. Wednesday a suspicious person was hanging around the main Naperville train station, 105 4th Ave. and according to a ticket agent at the station, was asking “unusual questions relating to security,” Naperville Police Lt. Dave Hoffman said.
The ticket agent was unsure whether the man left the station on foot or if he got on a train. The train he would have gotten on was Metra Burlington Northern Santa Fe train No. 1252. When that train got to Lisle, it was stopped and police have been looking for that man.
Hoffman said the man was described as a white male, in his early 30s, 6-foot-2, with a medium build, wearing a green jacket with a hooded sweatshirt and carrying a knapsack.....
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1376891,w-metra-police-activity-011409.article