Algonquin robbery suspects displayed handgun, stole money, tablets, phones from Verizon store
No one was injured in the incident
By LINDSAY GLOOREmailFollow
Sarah Nader - snader@shawmedia.com
Algonquin police investigate a robbery at the Verizon store at 1554 E Algonquin Rd. in Algonquin Thursday, Nov. 30 2017.
ALGONQUIN — Two men displayed a handgun before stealing money and electronics Thursday night from a GoWireless Verizon Authorized Retailer in Algonquin.
Algonquin police responded about 7:30 p.m. Thursday to the Verizon store at 1554 E. Algonquin Road for a reported armed robbery, according to a news release from the Algonquin Police Department.
A preliminary investigation showed two men entered the store about 7:25 p.m. and displayed a handgun to the employee. The two then stole cash, approximately five tablets and an unknown number of phones and fled the scene on foot, Algonquin Police Deputy Chief Ryan Markham said.
An approximate cost of the merchandise stolen was not yet available Friday, Markham said, and it is unknown in what direction the two left the building.
K-9 Units from the Carpentersville Police Department assisted in the ensuing search for the suspects, and officers could be seen inside the store with two civilians around 8:45 p.m. Thursday.
In a nearby neighborhood to the east, an officer could be seen about 8:35 p.m. patrolling sidewalks with a flashlight.
Other businesses in the plaza – which is across the street from Jewel-Osco – stayed open.
One suspect is described as approximately 20- to 25-years-old, clean-shaven, 5-feet, 6-inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. He was wearing a black quilted jacket.
The other appeared to be around the same age, clean shaven, roughly 6-feet tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
"At this time, this appears to be an isolated incident," Markham said. "There have been no other similar incidents recently within the Village; however, the Algonquin Police Department would advise citizens to remain aware of their surroundings at all times and to report any suspicious or criminal activity that they witness occurring."
The Verizon store was open Friday, but a manager declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Algonquin police are still in the preliminary stages of their investigation, Markham said. It was not yet clear Friday afternoon if any surveillance footage would be released to the public.
"Right now my investigators are working on obtaining that video so we're not sure exactly what we have at this point," Markham said.
Stealing from electronic stores has become increasingly popular over the last three or four years. Suburban stores near major roads are typically targets, Markham said.
Anyone with information regarding the suspects' identities or who may have witnessed suspicious activity possibly related to the incident is asked to contact the Algonquin Police Department at 847-658-4531. There were no leads on suspects as of Friday afternoon.
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