Man Flashes Knife, Threatens Worker 'Not To Be A Hero' In Theft: PD

NEW LENOX, IL — A Joliet man faces armed robbery and burglary charges after New Lenox police say he threatened a Walmart employee with a pocket knife after stealing food from the store earlier this week.

On Jan. 16 just before 6 p.m., a retail theft occurred in the self-checkout lanes of the store, 510 E. Lincoln Highway. A man scanned $37 worth of food items and attempted to leave without paying, police said. When stopped by a loss prevention employee, the suspect then flashed a pocket knife and warned the employee 'not to be a hero,' according to police. The employee immediately called police, and the suspect fled in a car.

Police through an investigation were able to identify the suspect as Bryan Mendoza, 26, of Joliet.

New Lenox police took Mendoza into custody Thursday in Joliet. He was charged with armed robbery and burglary. Mendoza will be transferred to the Will County Detention Facility pending a court appearance.

"The arrest is the result of great work by the initial officers that handled the call, the detectives that conducted the investigation, and the Walmart Loss Prevention Team," said New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini.