Crime & Safety
Robber Used Zip Ties to Restrain Employee: Police
The robbery happened at a business in the 100 block of West Northwest Highway in Palatine on Wednesday morning.
PALATINE, IL — A 40-year-old North Chicago man has been charged with armed robbery and kidnapping after he ordered an employee to open up the safe at a Palatine business and then used zip ties to restrain the employee, police said Friday. Authorities say Christopher E. Brackens, of the 1400 block of Broadway Avenue in North Chicago, broke into the business in the 100 block of West Northwest Highway before the employee arrived at work on Wednesday morning, according to a news release from the Palatine Police Department.
Police responded at about 8 a.m. for a commercial hold-up alarm and found Brackens, who was wearing a face mask, exiting the back of the business at the time, police said. He tried to get away from police but was taken into custody after a short chase.
When officers entered the business, they found the employee still restrained with the zip ties, authorities said.
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Brackens is expected to appear in bond court in Cook County on Saturday.
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