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Police Investigate Robbery at Gunpoint on Illinois Street


Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Police are seeking information regarding an alleged robbery at gunpoint that was reported in the early morning hours on Monday, December 22.

A 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman told police that they were sitting in a vehicle parked in front of a residence on Illinois Street around 1:00 a.m. when two unknown male subjects entered the vehicle through the back doors. The first subject was armed with a silver revolver and sat behind the driver. The second subject sat behind the passenger.

According to police, the first suspect showed the driver the gun and ordered him to drive the vehicle west on Illinois Street. While he was driving, the suspect was allegedly attempting to take items out of his pants pocket, but was unsuccessful. The suspect then ordered the driver to stop the vehicle just west of Gettysburg Street on Illinois Street, where he then demanded the driver to exit the vehicle and allegedly stated, "Give me everything in your pockets."

The driver gave the first subject $50 cash, his cell phone, and iPod music player, and his wallet, according to police.

The second subject took the purse of the passenger, who was still in the vehicle.

Both suspects then ran east on Illinois Street to Indiana Street, where it is believed that they turn south on Indiana Street and were lost from sight. The driver drove back to a residence on Illinois Street and called police.

The first suspect is described as a black male, light skin, between 17 and 20 years of age, 5’9" tall, weighing 145 pounds, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The second suspect is described as a black male, dark skinned, between 17 and 20 years of age, 5’11" tall, weighing 155 pounds, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.

Officer DeVries with K-9 Tobi attempted to track and locate the offenders with negative results. Officers from the Olympia Fields and Matteson police departments also responded to provide assistance by setting up a perimeter in the area. Officers canvassed the area, checking for footprints in the snow in the area of Indiana Park and Indiana School with negative results. They did discover one set of footprints, widely spaced, similar to that of someone who had been running.

However, police noted that the weather conditions were below zero with high winds and that the existing snow on the ground had a hard layer of ice on top which caved in when walked on. The streets had been plowed and salted. Police continue to investigate.

Anyone with information are encouraged to call 708-748-1309 and leave a message on Detective Beilke’s voice mail.


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