Crime & Safety
Teen Tied To Wendy's Armed Robbery In Oak Forest: Cops
An 18-year-old being held for robbing a Dollar Tree store in Homewood, has been tied to a second armed robbery in Oak Forest, cops said.
OAK FOREST, IL -- A Hazel Crest teen is accused of robbing and terrorizing employees at a fast food restaurant in Oak Forest. Johnathan Payne, 18, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on felony armed robbery charges. Payne has also been tied to another armed robbery in Homewood, the prosecutor said.
Oak Forest police responded to a robbery on April 7 at Wendy’s, 4071 W. 167th St. According to the complaint, surveillance video showed the suspect wearing a black jacket, black pants and tan Nike gym shoes entering the restaurant. The suspect, later identified as Payne, pointed a small silver gun at an employee, the prosecutor said. The employee walked away and Payne went around the counter where he allegedly removed the cash drawer containing approximately $200.
After taking the cash drawer, Payne walked over to a juvenile employee working the drive-through window, and allegedly held the gun to his head. The prosecutor said that Payne was eventually identified on the video.
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A few days later, Payne is believed to have robbed a Dollar Tree store in Homewood, for which he is facing multiple counts of armed robbery with a firearm, unlawful restraint and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Court records indicate that Payne entered the Dollar Tree on April 9 where he robbed the business and pistol-whipped employees. Payne is also said to have stolen women's purses at the store.
The prosecutor said clothes similar to those worn by Payne during the Oak Forest robbery and stolen cash, along with a small silver firearm were found in a room at the Kozy Budget Motel in Markham. Payne allegedly told police that the gun wasn’t loaded, and offered to apologize to the businesses he robbed.
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The judge ordered Payne to be held without bail.
“If I could give two no bails, I would,” Mahoney said.
"Have a nice day, judge," Payne said leaving the courtroom.
Payne’s next court date is July 8 in Bridgeview. He also has an upcoming court appearance in Markham on June 19 for the Homewood robbery.
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