The T-Mobile store at 1958 West Irving was the third cellular store to be robbed in six days. |
The armed robbery of another cellular store in the Town Hall Police District on Friday evening led to a six-mile police chase through Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and River North that ended with one suspect arrested while another escaped, police said. It was the third armed take-over robbery of a mobile retailer in the 19th District this week. Police believe the robber who remains at-large is a five-time convicted violent felon.
The route of last night’s police chase. | MapMyRun |
At 6:13 last night, a passer-by reported seeing two men brandishing guns inside the T-Mobile store at 1958 West Irving Park Road in North Center. Moments later, a store employee reported being robbed by two men who took the store’s money and fled northbound on Damen, police said.
Acting on information gathered from two previous robberies, police searched the area for a white Chrysler 300 with front end damage and a Tennessee license plate. They found it as the car entered Lake Shore Drive with two occupants.
A pursuit broke out on Lake Shore Drive, exiting at Belmont, and heading west on Barry. When the passenger bailed out of the Chrysler at Broadway and Barry, a group of pursuing cops took off after him. He was arrested at Wellington and Broadway.
Charges are pending against that man.
Meanwhile, the Chrysler continued south on Broadway to Clark and then east on Fullerton where it re-entered Lake Shore Drive. Exiting at Michigan Avenue, the driver zig-zagged through the heavy Friday evening traffic in River North before slipping away from police near the Chicago River.
Two drivers who maneuvered to avoid the Chrysler crashed into each other near Rainforest Cafe, police said. No serious injuries were reported.
Police later found a handgun that they believe belongs to the Chrysler’s driver lying in the street at Wacker Drive and State Street, according to a department spokesperson.
Investigators believe the two suspects are also responsible for robbing an Uptown Boost Mobile store on Thursday afternoon and a Lakeview Metro PCS last Saturday.
Suspect Sought
Hummons is being sought for questioning |
Investigators believe the suspect who remains at large is 50-year-old career criminal John Hummons, according to an internal CPD communication. Hummons is 6’1” tall and weighs about 190 pounds. He has two teardrop tattoos on his right cheek.
Court records show that he was sentenced to 9-1/2 years in prison for Class X felony armed robbery in 2007; 15 years for Class X armed robbery in 1997; a second term of 15 years for Class X armed robbery in 1997; three years for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 1996; and three years for being a felon in possession of a firearm in 1994.
CWBChicago will update you when charges are finalized against the man who is in custody.