Former Airman Sticks Up Alsip Gas Station: Prosecutor

Caption: Jack Katz | Cook County Sheriff

Alsip police arrested a suspect two days after he allegedly held up a gas station with a BB pellet gun, Cook County prosecutors said in court on Thursday.

Jack Katz, 22, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice in a Bridgeview on an armed robbery charge.

Prosecutors said that Katz entered the BP gas station at 12230 S. Cicero Ave., Alsip, on June 21. He pulled up his hoodie and partially withdrew the butt of a handgun and demanded money from the sales clerk.

The gun was later determined to be a pellet gun that strongly resembled a handgun, prosecutors

The sales clerk placed the cash register drawer on the counter, where Katz allegedly grabbed $300 in cash and fled the business on foot.

He was arrested on June 23 after the clerk positively identified him in a photo lineup, prosecutors said.

Katz is currently on probation for a forgery conviction from April, according to court records. He was also charged with violating probation.

The public defender said that Katz was discharged from the U.S. Air Force after serving two years for medical reasons. He was worked the past four years a power washer for a construction company.

Katz requested a “reasonable bond” through the public defender.

“He’s looking at minimum of six years,” Judge Felice said.

The judge set bail at $300,000. Katz is due back in court on July 23.