Armed Man Who Robbed Store Employee Arrested At Hotel: Cops

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A Chicago man accused of grabbing a bag of money from an employee in the parking lot of a children’s clothing store, is behind bars after Orland Park police tracked him down to a Lansing hotel. Cardius Kent, 25, is facing a Class X felony charge of armed robbery.

Around 9:18 a.m. Sept. 27, Orland Park police responded to a call of an armed robbery at Once Upon A Child, 9520 W. 159th St. A man, later identified as Kent, approached a female employee in the store’s parking lot and grabbed her from behind, police said. Kent allegedly pulled out a handgun and demanded money. The woman handed over her wallet and a bag containing store funds. Police said Kent stepped into the passenger side of red Chevy Camaro and fled the parking lot.

Investigators were able to determine the Camaro’s live plate number from surveillance video. The car had been reported stolen from a rental agency. Lansing police found the Camaro parked in a hotel parking lot around 1:30 p.m. Officers surveilled the car as Orland Park police began to arrive in the area. Kent appeared and entered the car. As officers approached, police said that Kent took off running with Lansing officers in pursuit.. Kent was found hiding in a laundry closet at another nearby Lansing hotel. Police said Kent had the stolen cash with him.

The employee identified Kent as the person from the armed robbery, police said. Kent will be brought Saturday to the Leighton Criminal Courts Building for a bond hearing.