Botched Robbery Began As Bogus Shoe Sale: Highland Park Police

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — A scheduled shoe transaction turned violent Saturday in Highland Park, leading to to felony charges for a pair of 19-year-old Lake County residents, authorities said.

Damian Toledo Jr., 19, of Highwood, and Shawn Sawko, 19, of North Chicago, were arrested around 7:30 p.m. and charged with robbery and aggravated battery, according to police.

A prospective purchaser of a pair of Yeezy brand shoes had arranged on a social media app to meet the two teens in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant in the 2500 block of Skokie Valley Road to carry out the transaction, police said.

But instead of furnishing the footwear, Toledo and Sawko attacked the buyer, who managed to hold onto the $1,000 in cash he had planned to pay — even after being punched in the face by Toledo and choked by Sawko, according to Highland Park police.

Police said Toledo and Sawko ran away but were quickly found behind a car dealership and taken into custody after running out into Route 41. They were identified by the man they are accused of beating and robbing around 8:15 p.m.

Following a hearing Sunday, both men were ordered held at Lake County Jail in lieu of the $1,000 cash portion of their bond ahead of their next court appearance Aug. 5, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Toledo posted the money Tuesday evening and was released. Sawko remained in custody as of Wednesday evening.