Two men who allegedly robbed a Walgreens store in Lakeview were arrested after they decided to try to escape via the nearby Sheridan Red Line station. The cops arrived before their getaway train.
Assistant State’s Attorney Calvin Astrella said the store manager asked Jaheem Hammond-Fields, 19, Antrawn Pierson, 18, and a third person to leave the store at 953 West Irving Park late last Thursday because they weren’t wearing COVID masks.
They did. About three minutes later, Hammond-Fields and Pierson walked back in while the third person stood lookout. Astrella said that Hammond-Fields went behind the counter and threatened to shoot the cashier while announcing a robbery.
While Hammond-Fields cleaned out the register, Pierson took 13 White Owl cigars and 13 Swisher Sweets cigars from the nearby display, according to the allegations. They then fled the scene with the alleged lookout.
Chicago police officers used CPD and CTA surveillance cameras to locate Hammond-Fields and Pierson at the nearby Sheridan station. Pierson dropped a backpack as officers approached him at the Red Line stop. The bag allegedly contained the store’s cash and the stolen cigars.
The lookout remains at large.
Astrella said the robbery was captured on store video, and Walgreens employees identified both men as the robbers.
They are each charged with aggravated robbery.
Pierson had an arrest warrant for a juvenile aggravated battery case at the time of the robbery, Astrella said. Hammond-Fields has three juvenile adjudications for theft, retail theft, and battery. According to Astrella, he also has an active arrest warrant from Wisconsin for robbery.
Judge Charles Beach set bail at $150,000 for Hammond-Fields and $100,000 for Pierson. They are due back in court on January 5.
