Howard Street Armed Robber Arrested While Chasing Victim: Police

EVANSTON, IL — Police said a West Ridge resident who had just robbed a man at knifepoint was arrested last week on Howard Street as he chased after another victim.

Reimundo Atempa-Hernandez, 19, of the 2200 block of West Birchwood Avenue, was arrested around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday and charged with armed robbery a few blocks from his home, according to police.

Officers were dispatched to a report of a robbery around 4 a.m. Tuesday, police said. A 52-year-old man told officers the robber later identified as Atempa-Hernandez had come up to him near the intersection of Howard Street and Bell Avenue and first asked for $20.

The man told the 19-year-old he did not have any money, police said. Atempa-Hernandez then approached him a second time, this time brandishing a knife, according to police.

"Give me all you got," he told the man. The Chicago resident then handed over a cellphone, headphones, a pair of gloves and six CDs, police reported.

When they arrived, an officer dispatched to the scene found Atempa-Hernandez chasing after another person who he had just tried to rob near Howard Street and Oakley Avenue, according to Cmdr. Ryan Glew.

Police found a knife and items stolen from the first victim in Atempa-Hernendez's possession, and the first victim identified him as the robber, Glew said.

He said Atempa-Hernandez could face separate charges from Chicago police stemming from the attempted second robbery. A Chicago police spokesperson said no such charges have yet been filed.

A judge ordered Atempa-Hernandez held without bond at Cook County Jail ahead of his next court appearance on Nov. 26 in Skokie.