Sheriff Busts Unlicensed Security Firm Putting Armed Men in Liquor Stores

An unlicensed security company putting armed guards in liquor stores was busted by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police. One of his “armed” guards, however, was packing a cap gun.

Harvey Jones, 48, of Blue Island, and two of his employees were arrested after a monthlong investigation, according to the sheriff’s department.

On March 12, investigators accompanied by agents from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation visited six stores in Chicago and the south suburbs where they believed Jones’ employees worked. Two men, Anthony Holloway, 42, of Chicago, and Tracy Fraley, 42, of Chicago, were carrying guns without certification to be armed security guards.

Holloway was arrested in a liquor store in the 70 block of East 159th Street in Harvey. Fraley was arrested at a liquor store in the 3900 block of West Arthington Street in Chicago. A third man, found to have worked security at a store in the 800 block of 115th Street in Chicago, was armed with a cap gun.

“The arrests of these individuals send a message that we will work together to ensure the safety of our communities by investigating allegations of individuals purporting to be licensed professionals,” said Bryan Schneider, Secretary of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.