Video footage captured what appeared to be a heist of a cargo train near Chicago, Illinois. “At this time, an estimated 50 to 150 people or more are actively looting and breaking into a cargo train on the west side of Chicago, Illinois. Police have been dispatched to the scene to address the ongoing incident, with reports of individuals stealing boxes of items, possibly including TVs, from the train’s containers,” Rawsalerts wrote. “Witnesses describe the situation as chaotic, with looters working quickly to empty the cargo. This is still a developing story,” the post added. WATCH: #BREAKING: Dozens of people are actively looting and breaking into a cargo train ⁰⁰#Chicago | #illinois⁰⁰At this time, an estimated 50 to 150 people or more are actively looting and breaking into a cargo train on the west side of Chicago, Illinois. Police have been… pic.twitter.com/SwDIOnSE90 — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) October 11, 2024 NBC Chicago reports: Large groups of people were seen carrying boxes of merchandise off freight trains in Chicago and fleeing in cars and vans, leading to massive Metra delays during the afternoon rush hour Friday. Video from NBC’s Sky 5 chopper captured the scene as several people were seen running from trains carrying boxes, fleeing from Metra police and leaving piles of debris strewn across the tracks. According to Metra, trains on the UP-West line, both inbound and outbound, were stopped near Kedzie as the incident unfolded, citing “police activity.” “Extensive delays are anticipated,” an alert to riders stated. “Metra encourages customers to seek alternate transportation at this time. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.” A spokesperson for Metra said delays were due to reports of people stealing off freight trains in the area and warned delays could last for “several hours.” WATCH: Thieves are looting train cars on Chicago's west side. There have been several break-ins along this stretch of railroad tracks in recent weeks. pic.twitter.com/6VAOG47Tq8 — Megan Hawkins (@meganhawkinsabc) October 11, 2024 Just in: Groups of people broke into a freight train on the west side of Chicago and brazenly looted during the middle of the day. @Chicago_Police struggled to respond and the looters simply ran or drove away. pic.twitter.com/umiIfVUYRk — Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 12, 2024 Per ABC7 Chicago: This situation unfolded just before 4 p.m. Friday in the 400 block of North Lamon Avenue in the South Austin neighborhood. At one point, police officers were seen drawing their weapons and aiming them toward at least one vehicle apparently speeding away from the scene. This is the second time in a few months people allegedly broke into cargo trains on this route. It was back in August, near Lawler and Kinzie on the city’s West Side, when thieves broke into another freight train and got away with multiple boxes full of TVs, police said. In a statement, a Union Pacific spokesperson said, “rail burglaries pose a safety threat to the public, our employees and local law enforcement officers.” Metra trains are being stopped near Kedzie as police continue to investigate. UPW train service is temporarily suspended due to ongoing police activity near Kedzie. Metra encourages customers to seek alternate transportation at this time. Updates will be provided as information becomes available. — Metra UP-W (@metraUPW) October 11, 2024 WATCH: