Man On Parole For Armed Robbery Accused Of 2 More Armed Robberies

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — A Westmont man who was on parole for armed robbery in Cook County is being held without bond in DuPage Couny Jail after he was arrested in connection with recent armed robberies in Downers Grove and Oakbrook Terrace.

Robert Howard, 27, of the 1100 block of Oakley Court, was charged with two counts of armed robbery with a firearm and two counts of unlawful use or possession of a weapon in connection with June 15 incidents.

On June 15, Downers Grove police were called to the Speedway at 5004 Fairview Ave. just before 3 p.m. for an armed robbery. Police say Howard came into the gas station, raised his shirt to reveal a gun in his waistband and demanded cash from the register.

Howard is further accused of pointing the gun at the clerk after they handed over the cash and then demanding they open a second register. Howard is accused of saying, "Open the register, I’m gonna [sic] shoot you if you don’t give me the money."

Police say the clerk could not open the second register, which prompted Howard to steal two packs of cigarettes and flee on foot.

Howard is also accused of robbing a 7-Eleven in Oakbrook Terrace around 3:30 p.m. that same day. Police say Howard filled out a job application before showing a gun to an employee and demanding cash. Howard is accused of taking $400 cash and fleeing the scene.

Police identified Howard as a suspect and issued a search warrant for his Westmont home on June 21. Police say Howard was in a meeting with his parole officer at the time and tried to run, but tripped and was taken into custody.

According to police, Howard had a semiautomatic handgun in his waistband that matched the description of the weapon from the Speedway robbery.

“On parole for less than seven months, Mr. Howard has no business being in possession of a loaded weapon, let alone using it to commit two armed robberies, as alleged in this case,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, “The criminal behavior allegedly displayed by Mr. Howard demonstrates his complete disregard for the rule of law and will be met with the fullest force of the law. In DuPage County, we will use every resource available to protect our residents and hold violent offenders, as alleged in this case, accountable.

Howard is set to appear in court again July 19. If convicted, Howard faces up to 75 years