Dollar Store Robber Threatens Employee With Box Cutter: Cops

BURBANK, IL -- A Chicago man after he swiped merchandise from a dollar store and threatened an employee with a box cutter, prosecutors said. Lance Guterz, 58, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony charge of armed robbery. He was also charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing, battery and resisting arrest.

Guterz went to the Dollar General store in Burbank on Feb. 13, where he asked a cashier to hold his backpack behind the counter for safe keeping. The prosecutor said Guterz went about the store, selecting merchandise and hiding it in his clothing. When he asked for the return of his backpack, the cashier told him he’d get it back after he returned the items that he allegedly stole. The cashier was not injured, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said Guterz went behind the counter and shoved the cashier away. According to the charges, Guterz took out a box cutter with a three-inch extendable blade and held it to her side. Burbank police chased Guterz down 87th Street, where he allegedly admitted to stealing merchandise and threatening the cashier with the boxcutter, which was recovered at the scene.

The prosecutor said Guterz five prior felony convictions for theft, and assorted misdemeanor retail theft arrests. Guterz told the judge he was homeless.

Bail was set at $200,000. Guterz was ordered to stay out of Dollar General and tp have not contact with employees. Guterz’s next court hearing is March 8 in Bridgeview.