Armed Robber Nabbed After Return To Crime Scene: Cops

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A robber who held up a Crystal Lake gas station early Sunday returned to that same gas station hours later before a clerk recognized him and alerted authorities. The Crystal Lake Police Department took the man, Dieter M. Bierwirth, 53, of Crystal Lake into custody at about 1:30 p.m. just 12 hours after he is accused of holding up the same Marathon Gas Station at 770 S. Virginia Road, police said.

Authorities say the initial robbery happened at about 1 a.m. Sunday when Bierwirth entered the gas station wearing a medical mask and a hooded jacket. He is accused of pulling out a large knife and demanding money from the clerk, holding it close to the clerk's neck while threatening to harm the employee, according to a news release from the police department.

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He then pulled out a cash drawer and fled with it, according to police.

At about 1:30 p.m., police were called again to the gas station after a clerk recognized a customer who'd came into the Marathon as being the same man involved in the robbery, according to authorities. The man again fled the business but patrol officers caught up to him.

Detectives responded and identified the man as the same person who robbed the gas station, according to a news release. A search warrant was issued for Bierwirth's home and police say items found there linked him to the robbery.

Bierwirth has been charged with armed robbery, commercial burglary, theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance in connection with the crime.