Crooks Rob Cell Phone Store, Hit Owner's Knees With Chair: Cops

PALOS HILLS, IL -- Two robbers got away with cell phones, laptops and an unknown amount of cash during an armed robbery at a Palos Hills cell phone store, police said. The purported robbers were described as black males both in their mid to late twenties. The men were wearing gloves.

According to a police bulletin obtained by Patch, the men entered Hi-Phone, 10142 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, around 9 p.m. Jan. 19. The pair asked the owner to look at some cell phones. The owner went to an employee area to get the phones. One of the men remained at the front display case looking at phones, while the other stood near the employee area.

When the owner returned one of the men walked behind the counter and pushed the owner on to the floor. A brief scuffle ensued and the second man also moved behind the counter and said, “I have a gun.” The owner told police he saw a black handgun. The two then ordered the owner to open the safe.

On their way of the store, the robbers took the camera system’s hard drive. They left with 20 to 30 cell phones, a laptop computer and cash. As the men were leaving, one of them took a chair and hit the store owner over the knees. Both robbers were described as tall with skinny builds. One had a small beard and the other was clean shaven.