57-year-old charged in Chicago scooter thefts; released without electronic monitor
Published 2026-10-04 · County Crime Watch
Chicago police arrested a 57-year-old man they say is tied to a citywide pattern of electric scooter thefts, but a judge released him from custody without ordering electronic monitoring. The defendant, identified in court filings as Randall Brown, was arrested by CPD’s Area 5 Motor Vehicle Theft Team on Thursday afternoon, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors on Friday accused Brown of stealing multiple scooters and charged him with five thefts. They allege he stole a scooter on June 23 and damaged another while attempting to take it on July 2; they also allege he stole a scooter from a woman on August 5, with incidents cited across the North Side and River North neighborhoods.
Court records and prosecutor filings show Brown has dozens of prior felony convictions, including earlier scooter theft convictions in 2020 that resulted in prison sentences. Judge James Costello’s court entry indicated there was “no obj” to the release conditions he imposed; the judge did not require an ankle monitor, according to the court document.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office declined to comment on its handling of the case while it remains pending.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
County Crime Watch · Chicago local crime desk