Oak Lawn Cell Phone Store Robbed, Three Suspects in Custody: COPS

OAK LAWN, IL -- Four robbers fled into a residential neighborhood after they robbed a cellphone store Wednesday morning in Oak Lawn, police said in a news release. At least one school went into lockdown and delayed dismissing students.

The robbery happened around 10:53 a.m. at the Verizon Store at 96th Street and Cicero Avenue in Oak Lawn. Police said three individuals entered the store and forced an employee to hand over his phone. The alleged robbers also fled with a large quantity of new cell phones.

The three jumped into a vehicle that was identified, located and followed to the area of 115th Street and Pulaski Road. Police said the purported crooks' vehicle struck another vehicle, disabling the getaway car. The four people inside fled into the neighborhood. Three of the four are in custody, Oak Lawn police said.

Marist High School was placed on lockdown during the chase. The school said in a statement that at approximately 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Marist school officials were informed by the Alsip Police Department that police were looking for robbery suspect still at large in the area near the school.

“During the course of the lockdown Marist Principal Larry Tucker sent three all-calls to parents, emailed faculty and staff, and made announcements over the PA system to communicate updates,” the school said in a written statement. “At the direction of the Chicago Police Department, Marist started a dismissal process at approximately 12:40 p.m. [Wednesday, May 24] Just after 1 p.m. Marist was given an all-clear by the Alsip Police Department and a complete dismissal was made.”

No injuries were reported in the robbery. The case is still active and no further information is available at this time, police said.