Rev. Corey Brooks, pastor of New Beginnings Church in Chicago, played a pivotal role in the peaceful surrender of three juveniles involved in an armed robbery on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Green Line. The robbery occurred on September 14, 2024, when the group allegedly held an 18-year-old woman at gunpoint and took her property.
Upon recognizing the suspects as members of his church, Pastor Brooks reached out to their parents and facilitated their surrender to the police. The young offenders, aged 12, 13, and 15, were charged with felony armed robbery and made their initial court appearances. Brooks emphasized the role of “tough love” in guiding these juveniles through accountability while expressing his continued belief in their potential for rehabilitation.
In his statements, Brooks defended the children’s parents, highlighting their efforts as hardworking single parents trying to provide for their families. He noted that these parents were not on government assistance, underscoring the challenges they faced in raising their children.
Brooks also acknowledged the emotional toll this incident took on him, as he deeply cares for the youth involved in his church’s programs. His goal, he emphasized, is to prevent these young people from continuing down a destructive path and to help them reach their full potential.
In addition to the three juveniles, two more teens, aged 14 and 15, were also charged in connection with the robbery and other incidents on CTA property.
Pastor Brooks’ involvement highlights his ongoing commitment to community leadership and his role in guiding at-risk youth away from crime through his church and his organization, Project HOOD. His intervention in this case is just one example of his efforts to address violence and provide hope to his community in Chicago’s South Side.
