Chicago Man Robs Riverside Gas Station: Cops

RIVERSIDE, IL — A Chicago man has been arrested after robbing a 7-Eleven gas station in Riverside, police said. Isaiah Johnson, 26, of Chicago was charged with one count of robbery, a Class 2 felony, and is currently being held in custody at the Cook County Jail.

Police received 911 calls at 5 p.m. June 9 reporting a robbery at 7-Eleven, 2600 Harlem. A possible license number of the suspect's vehicle was given, as well as a description of Johnson.

Police said they arrived on scene and checked on the clerk of the gas station, who was not injured. Other officers were also sent eastbound on 26th to check for the suspect's car, but they couldn't find the car or Johnson.

Detectives learned the clerk had taken a photo of the fleeing car and the license plate, according to police. They ran the plates and began a follow-up investigation. Riverside detectives and Chicago tactical officers staked out a home on the 7300 block of South Halsted in Chicago for Johnson, police said.

They spoke to the Johnson's brother, who said he wasn't home. Police said detectives then saw the suspect's vehicle in an alley nearby, and believed the brother was lying. They called to have the vehicle towed from that area to Riverside Police Department as it was part of a crime scene and considered evidence.

According to police, as the car was being prepared for towing, someone matching Johnson's description left the complex and police detained him. The offender's vehicle was towed as evidence and Johnson was taken to Riverside for investigation.

While in custody at the department, police said Johnson was identified in a photo lineup and during questioning he gave a full confession to committing the robbery. Johnson told police he entered the store and put a pen at the bottom of the entrance door so that it would not close completely to avoid being locked in or out. Police said Johnson believed the clerk had the ability to lock him in or out if the clerk was being robbed. A pen was recovered at the scene with Johnson's fingerprints on it.

According to police, Johnson walked to the rear of the store, brought some items to the counter and immediately reached over to the cash register and began forcefully taking money out of the register. The clerk
confronted Johnson and a physical struggle occurred. Johnson was able to grab cash and some food items and ran to his car and fled eastbound. Several hundred dollars in cash was taken.

"Excellent work all the way around. Officers responded secured the scene, collected evidence, conducted witness interviews and contacted detectives to immediately follow-up," Chief Thomas Weitzel said in a release. "Riverside detectives worked directly with Chicago tactical and made an arrest some 9 hours
later."

Police said Johnson's criminal history includes retail theft, aggravated assault with a weapon, simple assault, drugs, criminal trespass, theft and battery. He is being held at Cook County Jail on a no bond release, and will next appear in court on June 12.

Photos provided by Riverside Police Department.