Bolingbrook Man Charged in Failed Armed Robbery at Woodridge Jewel-Osco

By Lorraine Swanson | Patch Editor (Patch Staff)

A Bolingbrook man was charged with attempted armed robbery after a failed attempt to steal cigarettes and cash from the Woodridge Jewel-Osco early Tuesday morning.

According to Woodridge police, Christopher Esbensen entered the store at 2317 W. 75th St. around 4 a.m.

Esbensen immediately approached the customer service counter and removed a pack of cigarettes, police said.

When the Bolingbrook man reached the check-out line, police said he attempted to grab money from the cash register.

The cashier immediately shut the drawer, while another customer grabbed Esbensen from behind, reports said.

Police said the cashier noticed that Esbensen had a knife and warned the customer. The customer threw Esbensen to the ground, who then stood up and fled the store.

Esbensen led police on a foot pursuit, and was apprehended in the area near Jewel-Osco, police said.

He was charged with attempted armed robbery, aggravated battery and retail theft. The case is still under investigation by Woodridge police.