Masked Teen Stuck Gun in Liquor Store Clerk’s Face, Stole Cash, Smokes & Tequila: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A local teen celebrated his birthday by menacing a liquor store clerk with a handgun, stealing cash, cigarettes and tequila, and running from the law before he was captured and jailed, police said.

The birthday boy — who had just turned 17 — walked into Consumers Liquor Store on Glenwood Avenue about 9:30 a.m. Thursday. He was reportedly wearing mask, stuck a gun in the clerk’s face and demanded money from the cash register.

The clerk surrendered the money, police said, and the teen also grabbed cigarettes and a bottle of Patrón before taking off and running west on Glenwood.

The clerk called the cops and followed the crook to Glenwood’s junction with the bike path, police said. Officers then reportedly spotted the teen running north and gave chase before finding him hiding behind a house.

The teen had tossed away his gun and the bottle of tequila, police said, but officers found both nearby.

The teen was arrested and taken to River Valley Juvenile Detention Center.

image via Patch archive