Robbins Man Linked to LaGrange 7-Eleven Robbery: Prosecutor

LA GRANGE, IL -- A brave employee of a frequently robbed convenience store in Oak Lawn ended a Robbins man’s armed robbery spree when she threw money from a cash drawer on to the floor, prosecutors said.

Darail Williamson, 29, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on two counts of armed robbery. He also has a pending charge in the Sixth Municipal District Courthouse in Markham.

According to the charges, an employee was wiping the counter when Williamson entered 7-Eleven, 10220 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, around 4 a.m. July 23.

The employee noticed something in Williamson’s hand when he demanded money from the cash register. He followed the employee behind the counter and asked for a bag when she pulled out the cash drawer, the prosecutor said.

When they moved on to the second register, the employee dumped all the change and bills on to the floor. The prosecutor said the employee tried to call police as Williamson picked the money up off the floor.

Seeing the phone in her hand, Williamson is said to have grabbed it away and pushed the employee down on the floor.

The prosecutor said that Williamson pushed the employee into the back room. When she tried to leave, he pushed her into back again and fled the store. She stayed in the back room until police arrived.

Oak Lawn police noticed a vehicle speeding down Cicero Avenue. Officers were able to pull the car over in a traffic stop, where prosecutors said police noticed a bag full of money on the front seat.

The employee was able to positively identify the driver as Williamson, the man who allegedly robbed the store.

Prosecutors said that Williamson is also believed responsible for robbing a store at gunpoint in Thornton earlier in the day on July 23. He has a bond hearing at the Markham Courthouse scheduled for Tuesday.

He is also charged with another 7-Eleven robbery at 6 E. 47th St. in LaGrange. There, the prosecutor said Williamson also entered the store around 4 a.m. July 15.

An employee told police that Williamson had what appeared to be a Taser gun. He pulled out a second replica gun and demanded money, the prosecutor said.

After grabbing both cash drawers, police said Williamson fled the store.

Both of the Oak Lawn and LaGrange robberies are Class X felonies, each punishable by a mandatory six years in prison.

“They’re concurrent terms,” the assistant public defender argued. “So is the [Thornton robbery].”

Judge Felice set bail at $750,000 for each robbery. Williamson’s next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19 in Bridgeview.

Darail Williamson, 29 | Oak Lawn Police Department