Five individuals are in custody following an armed robbery Thursday afternoon that included a vehicle chase ending in a crash near East Galena Boulevard and North State Street.
On Friday afternoon around 3:25pm, Aurora police officers responded to the area of Howell Place and Fourth Avenue for a report that a juvenile victim had been approached by two masked offenders who displayed a firearm before forcibly taking the victim’s property.
The victim was walking home from school when two suspects, both dressed in black and wearing ski masks, blocked the victim’s path on the sidewalk. One offender produced a handgun, while the second offender forcibly removed the victim’s property. Both offenders then ran to a nearby SUV and fled the area.
Within minutes of the call, responding officers located the suspect vehicle through the use of license plate reader technology and attempted to stop the vehicle, resulting in a pursuit after the driver failed to stop.
The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed near East Galena Boulevard and North State Street. Two offenders immediately fled the crash scene on foot but were quickly apprehended after a brief foot chase. In total, five individuals were detained and a firearm related to the incident was recovered. One of the individuals involved was known to have prior documented gang affiliation.
“This incident highlights the effectiveness of our department’s coordinated response strategies,” said Chief Matt Thomas. “The rapid information-sharing between patrol officers, CIIC personnel, and our Community Oriented Policing Unit allowed officers to quickly locate the suspects, prevent further harm, and hold those responsible accountable.”
Two of the five suspects, one from Oswego (19 years of age) and one from Aurora (16 years if age), have been charged with Armed Robbery (a Class X Felony); Theft $500–$10,000 (a Class 3 Felony); Mob Action (Class 4 Felony); Aggravated Battery on a Public Way (Class 4 Felony) and Resisting a Police Officer Causing Injury (a Class 4 Felony); along with various weapons charges. A third, from Aurora (18 years of age), was charged with Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (multiple counts, Class 4 Felonies) and Resisting a Police Officer Causing Injury (a Class 4 Felony).
Two additional juveniles, ages 16 and 15, were taken into custody but have not been charged at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing, with additional charges possible pending lab results and forensic review.
