Cigarette Thief Found Hiding In Hot Tub: Police

OAK FOREST, IL — A convenience store employee hurled jars of relish at a man as he ran out of the store with $4,000 worth of cigarettes, prosecutors said. Kamar Hall, 24, of Oak Forest, appeared before Cook County

A man was arrested after he stole $4,000 worth of cigarettes in a strong arm robbery and escaped from the Oak Forest police station, prosecutors said. Kamar Hall, 23, of Oak Forest, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on felony charges robbery and escape.

According to the charges, Hall entered the 7-Eleven store at 14717 S. Central Ave. on Oct. 10. An employee was stocking shelves and watched Hall as he strolled around the store, the proseutor said. The employee went back to work stocking shelves when he heard a noise behind him. Hall was allegedly standing on the counter yelling, “I’m going to steal your [DELETED].”

The store employee hurled a jar of relish hitting Hall in the face. Hall allegedly responded, “how do you know I don’t have a gun.” The prosecutor said Hall grabbed 25 cartons of cigarettes totaling $4,033 and ran out the door. As Hall was leaving, the prosecutor said the employee threw another jar of relish hitting Hall in the back.

The employee was able to get a partial plate of Hall’s fleeing vehicle. Hall was stopped moments later by Oak Forest police. He denied being in the store, but was positively identified by the employee.

Hall was brought to the Oak Forest police station. When an officer opened the door to the station, he noticed that Hall had slipped one of his cuffs off. The prosecutor said Hall took off running leading police on a 90-minute search, during which Hall was spotted several times unning through yards and jumping on roofs. Hall was found hiding under the lid of a half-empty hot tub.

The prosecutor said Hall has two felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon and robbery. Bail was set at $150,000. Hall is due back in court Nov 13 in Bridgeview. Hall sat down on the floor and had to be carried out of the courtroom.