Armed Robbery Love Connection: Suspect Trades Numbers With Clerk, Police Say

DES PLAINES, IL — Des Plaines police announced armed robbery charges for three people in connection with a series of robberies, including an incident during which one of the allegedly intoxicated robbers reportedly exchanged numbers with a cashier.

Ahmed Fathi, 27, and Samantha Perez, 24, both of Chicago's North Side, said they had been drinking and doing drugs when they entered the Marathon gas station on the 1200 block of Lee Street in Des Plaines Monday afternoon, according to police.

During the robbery, Perez told a gas station employee she was interested in him and exchanged phone numbers with him, police told the Daily Herald.

As the employee walked from behind the counter to assist the visibly intoxicated Fathi, the robber allegedly pulled a knife on the clerk and demanded cash from the register. He cut the Marathon clerk on his face in an ensuing struggle and managed to open the register and snatch some cash before he and Perez fled in a silver getaway vehicle, police said. Fathi has been charged with aggravated battery in addition to armed robbery.

Detectives identified the suspects and sent their information to nearby police departments. Des Plaines Police said they carried out surveillance on at least one of their homes.

But the trio soon struck again, carrying out another armed robbery, according to Glenview police.

Shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, a fleeing car was stopped on Milwaukee Avenue by Niles Police Officers responding to a robbery call and several suspects were taken into custody.

A third man, 24-year-old Ayham Alamawi, has been accused of driving Fathi and Perez to the robbery and also has been charged with armed robbery.

The three also face additional charges from other incidents in Glenview and Shaumburg, according to police.

The Marathon employee was treated for his injuries by responding Des Plaines firefighters.

Top photo: Stephanie Perez (DPPD)