Evanston High School Student Charged With Robbery Attempts

EVANSTON, IL — An Evanston high school student faces two counts of attempted aggravated robbery after implying he had a weapon in a pair of abortive robberies Tuesday night, authorities said.

Rashawn McClary, 18, of the 900 block of Judson Avenue, was arrested shortly after 7 p.m. on Tuesday after five people said he had tried to rob them in two separate incidents, according to police and prosecutors.

McClary walked up to four them as they were walking near Lee Street Beach, according to Cook County State's Attorney Danielle Levin. He kept a hand in the pocket of his hoodie and implied he had a weapon, saying things like, "don't make me hurt you," Levin said.

The group said they didn't have the keys, phones and cash he demanded, so he took off running west down Lee Street, the prosecutor said Wednesday a bond hearing. They provided police with a description matching McClary shortly before officers on patron at Judson Avenue and Dempster Street noticed McClary.

"Simultaneously, [another victim] flagged down the officers and yelled to the officers, 'He tried to rob me,' while pointing at [McClary]," Levin said.

Officers separated the victims, and all of them independently identified McClary as the person who had tried to rob them, according to the prosecutor.

Evanston police are investigating McClary's involvement in earlier carjackings, according to Cdmr. Ryan Glew.

Prosecutors said a juvenile charges stemming from an allegation of an armed carjacking were dismissed as part of a restitution agreement.

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McClary is a high school student and father of one, according to Assistant Public Defender Jarnail Kanda.

Associate Judge Timothy Chambers ordered McClary jailed unless he provides the $10,000 cash portion of his bail. He is due back in court Oct. 27 for a bond review hearing.

Related: 2 Daylight Carjackings In 2 Days Target Evanstonians At Homes