Joliet Citgo Clerk Shot in Finger After Refusing to Open Booth for Robbers: Police

JOLIET, IL — A clerk at a Joliet gas station was shot in the finger after a couple of robbers tried to get through a protective layer of glass.

Police responded to the attempted robbery at around 4:15 a.m. Thursday morning at the Citgo Gas Station located at 609 Ruby St., according to Joliet Police Deputy Chief Ed Gregory.

Two black men, one around 5’7’’ with all dark clothing and another around 5’11’’ wearing a mask and all dark clothing, went into the store armed with an assault rifle, Gregory said. The approximate ages of the men are unknown but police believe they are adults.

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The clerk told police the men demanded he open the booth, Gregory said. The clerk refused and the masked man then opened fire to shoot off a lock.

“(The masked man) shot through the glass at our clerk and the clerk was struck in the hand, injuring his finger,” Gregory said.

The men fled westbound on foot and may have gotten into a vehicle, Gregory said. A police dog was used to track the men down, but was unsuccessful.

Police on the scene found a shell casing for an assault rifle bullet, Gregory said, but wouldn’t give out the caliber due to the ongoing investigation.

The clerk was taken to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center for his injury and was released today.

If you have any information on this incident, contact the Joliet Police Department at 815-724-3020.