3 Charged After Robbery, Barricade At Midlothian Liquor Store: PD

MIDLOTHIAN, IL — Three suspects have been charged following an armed robbery at a Midlothian liquor store Wednesday that led to an hours-long barricade situation and standoff with police.

Three men face armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping charges following the incident, with some additional charges for two, Midlothian police said Thursday.

Gentree Mcelroy, 53, of Hometown, Lourenzie Conner, 52, of Chicago, and Michael D. Lewis, 35, of Chicago, all face armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping charges. Mcelroy also was charged with possession of a controlled substance and parole violation. Conner was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude a peace officer.

Midlothian police were called at 10:15 a.m. to Emporium Liquors, 3900 147th St. Two offenders in the store reportedly held hostages at gunpoint, then barricading inside the store's cooler, police said. One offender fled the scene and was later captured in Chicago following a car chase and foot pursuit, police said.

Midlothian police called in the South Suburban Emergency Response Team for the two armed suspects that barricaded themselves in the store cooler. After a lengthy negotiation with SSERT operators, both suspects ultimately surrendered without incident, police said.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms assisted Midlothian police with a K-9 search for additional weapons, police said.

Midlothian police took the three into custody. The ATF will be investigating the offenders for potential involvement in additional armed robberies in Indiana, police said.

All offenders will be transported to Markham Courthouse for a detention hearing.