Lake Escape Fails: Glenview Armed Robbery Suspect Fled Into Water

CHICAGO — Following a pursuit that extended across nearly 20 miles and included an attempt at an aquatic escape, multiple people wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Glenview Thursday were taken into custody at North Avenue beach in Chicago by Illinois State Police, police said.

The incident began shortly before 12:30 p.m. when three men entered the T-Mobile store at 1629 Waukegan Road, according to Glenview and state police. At least two of them brandished a handgun and forced the store's two staffers into a back room.

The robbers stole 10 to 20 cellphones and fled the scene in a silver Hyundai SUV, according to Glenview police, who said the vehicle was last spotted getting on the southbound Edens Expressway from East Lake Avenue.

Illinois State Police were notified of the armed robbery by Glenview police and issued an emergency broadcast. Troopers from the Chicago district located the Hyundai headed southbound on I-90 at Diversey and began to pursue it before losing sight of the vehicle, according to state police. Glenview police continued to track the vehicle through downtown Chicago.

Eventually, the suspects ditched the car at North Avenue Beach and took off on foot. One suspected robber was quickly taken into custody and a weapon was recovered from the abandoned car, according to state police.

A second man fled into Lake Michigan and swam out into the water in an unsuccessful attempt to hide from police, state police said. Officers encouraged him to swim back to shore and took him into custody.

As of shortly after 3 p.m., two people were in custody and two suspects remained at large. State police said troopers were on scene searching for the remaining offenders. Officers from Glenview were on their wait to the scene, and Chicago police said they have not been involved in the investigation.

UPDATE: Duo Sentenced In Armed Robber Of Glenview Cell Phone Store

Suspect being commanded out of the water by Illinois State Police, hands up, from Lake Michigan. pic.twitter.com/CtTUUILgHK
— Mike Pries (@MikePTraffic) September 13, 2018

According to a photographer at the scene, a bystander on the beach used his child's binoculars to spot a carjacker in the lake before his arrest.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: Steven spotted a car jacker hiding in Lake Michigan with his son’s Superman binoculars. He was later arrested by Illinois State Police. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/GKG50DyH7U
— Kevin (@KevinDoellman) September 13, 2018

Anyone who witnessed or has more information about the incident was asked to call the Glenview Police tip line at 847-901-6055 or e-mail gpdtipline@glenview.il.us.