The News-Gazette.com: Police investigating robberies in Champaign

Police investigating robberies in Champaign

By Mary Schenk

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 12:34 PM CDT

CHAMPAIGN – Champaign police are looking for two men who robbed a store at gunpoint in north Champaign on Monday evening.

They are also investigating two other reports of pedestrians being robbed Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

In the Monday incident, Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn said, an employee of Special Touch Urban Fashions, 408 E. Tremont St., was leaving the business about 6:30 p.m. when he was approached by two men wearing dark-colored ski masks.

The victim said the taller of the two displayed a gun while demanding money. The robbers took an undisclosed amount of cash and several bags of clothing before running toward Third Street.

About 9 p.m. Tuesday, two men battered a 32-year-old Champaign man as he walked in the 600 block of North State Street and stole his wallet.

And about 3 a.m. Wednesday, police received a report that a 25-year-old man was walking in the 800 block of North Fourth Street when he was attacked from behind by two men in dark clothing. One displayed a gun while the other went through his pockets, stealing cash and his cell phone before running off.

If you have information on any of these crimes, call Champaign police at 351-4545 or Crimestoppers at 373-TIPS (373-8477). Information may also be sent by an anonymous Web tip to www.373tips.com or by text message to Tip397 plus the message to CRIMES (274637).

Callers do not have to give their names or appear in court. Cash rewards also are paid for information on other felony crimes or fugitives in the Champaign County area.