Suspect sought in string of armed robberies

Tue, 07/19/2011 - 2:00pm | The News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN — Area police need help solving a string of armed robberies that have occurred throughout Champaign County and Danville.

The armed robberies began May 1, with the most recent occurring July 9. The same man has committed at least nine armed robberies in Urbana, Champaign, Rantoul and Danville.

Most of the robberies have occurred at hotels. However, the first occurred at a Champaign pet store.

Following is a summary of dates and locations for the robberies:

— May 1 (Sunday), Sailfin Pet Shop, 720 N. Neil St., C.

— May 18 (Wednesday), Motel 6, 1906 N. Cunningham Ave., U.

— June 20 (Monday), Red Roof Inn, 212 W. Anthony Drive, C.

— June 22 (Wednesday), Best Western Hotel, 420 S. Murray Road, Rantoul.

— June 27 (Monday), Best Western Hotel, 420 S. Murray Road, Rantoul.

— June 27 (Monday), Sleep Inn, 1908 N. Lincoln Avenue, U.

— June 29 (Wednesday), Quality Inn, 305 W. Marketview Drive, C.

— July 2 (Saturday), Best Western Regency Inn, 360 Eastgate Drive, Danville.

— July 9 (Saturday), Dollar General Store, 304 E. Sangamon Ave., Rantoul.

The suspect's image was captured on surveillance video in one of the Urbana robberies as he was inside of the hotel. He is described as a black male, average height and weight, with short hair.

In each incident, he typically wore all black clothing, and was usually wearing a hooded pullover sweatshirt. He wore large sunglasses and a blue latex glove on one hand in several of the robberies. He had a dark-colored revolver.

His demeanor has been described as typically very calm and in control.

Police ask anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 373-8477. Tips can also be sent at http://www.373tips.com or by text by sending Tip397 plus the tip to CRIMES (274637).

The information you provide is confidential. You do not have to give your name or appear in court. Crimestoppers will pay a reward if the information you provide leads to an arrest for this crime. Cash rewards are also paid for information on other felony crimes or fugitives in the Champaign County area.

Categories (2):News, Courts, Police, and Fire

Location (7):Champaign County, Champaign, Local, Danville, Urbana, Vermilion County, Rantoul

Tags (2):Crimestoppers, armed robberies

Comments

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Bizzle247 wrote on July 19, 2011 at 2:07 pm

And they can't catch a man who is only wearing a pair of shades?...lol. Fire everyone on this case....now!

2nd post ever! holla

freechampaign wrote on July 19, 2011 at 3:07 pm

hmmm. you must be an expert and think you can find this guy then right. After all there is only how many people in Champaign County and who says he is even local. Criminals have been known to travel some distance to commit a crime and return repeatedly.

Cowboy68 wrote on July 19, 2011 at 4:07 pm

Based on his the locations of his robberies, I'd guess he's a Rantoul resident.. Nothing scientific, but north Urbana, one near mall, dville, and Rantoul...

whatithink wrote on July 19, 2011 at 5:07 pm

how can he carry a gun, Illinois doesn't have a conceal/carry law? Oh, that's right criminals don't care about the law, but it would be nice if a law biding citizen could protect themselves.