4 Charged In Armed Robbery Of Father, Son: Police

LINCOLNWOOD, IL — A group of masked men and boys from Chicago who allegedly robbed a father and his son at gunpoint outside their home in north suburban Lincolnwood Sunday afternoon before being quickly arrested have been charged with armed robbery, police said.

Police received a 911 call around 5:15 p.m. reporting that a 60-year-old man and his 27-year-old son had just been robbed in the 6600 block of North Drake Avenue near the corner with Albion Avenue.

Three men or boys covered their faces and got out of their vehicle and confronted the family members as they approached their car parked in front of their home, while another remained in the getaway car, according to police.

One of the masked figures brandished a handgun, demanding the father and son's wallets and cell phones. They also grabbed the victim's car keys and took other belongings, including a backpack, while a family member who witnessed the incident called 911 immediately, she told WBBM-TV. A knife was also left at the scene.

Lincolnwood police responded within a few minutes and intercepted the suspects' vehicle as it was driving away from the scene. Police said officers noticed the stolen wallet and the makeshift masks in the car after pulling it over. A handgun, the victims' cell phones and other evidence were found in a nearby garbage can and bushes, according to police. The victims and witnesses later identified the suspects.

Two of those arrested were juveniles and have not been named, but all four are from Chicago. Those under 18 were taken to the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Facility and will be charged with armed robbery in juvenile court.

Ibrahim Lissa, 21, of the 6500 block of North Mozart Street and Stephon D. Pugh, 20, of the 3700 block of West Wilson Avenue, have been charged with armed robbery and are scheduled to appear in bond court in Skokie Tuesday.

An investigation found the group of robbers targeted the first two people they came across, and police described the incident as "an isolated crime of opportunity."

Lincolnwood Village President Barry Bass described the incident as "dangerous and horrific," in a letter to residents.

"Unfortunately, many of our surrounding communities are encountering an uptick in this type of activity which has seeped over the borders from Chicago and other areas into Lincolnwood."

"I was also a victim of an armed assault last February, in front of my home, ironically within two blocks of this recent incident. No one should ever have to experience a situation like this," Bass wrote.

Officers will increase patrols in the area, but police said they are confident "these offenders pose no further danger to neighboring residents," according to a news release from Deputy Chief John Walsh.

One neighbor told WBBM-TV he had heard of other robberies on the street in recent months. Another suggested a Sunday afternoon robbery seemed unusual.

Police said it was only the town's second armed robbery of the year. In the last one, two men were arrested and charged with robbing a resident in the 6500 block of Central Park Avenue in February. The two incidents were "isolated and are not connected," according to Walsh.

Police asked anyone with more information about the incident to call the Lincolnwood Police Department's Investigations Unit at 847-745-4751.

_{Top photo: Ibrahim Lissa and Stephon D. Pugh booking photographs | Lincolnwood PD}