Shoplifter Draws Gun On Walmart Staff In Niles: Police

NILES, IL — A retail theft turned into an aggravated robbery Sunday after police said a shoplifter pulled a gun when confronted by staff at the Niles Walmart.

At 7:41 p.m., a caller reported a man with a gun at the Walmart located at 5630 W. Touhy Ave., according to Niles police. Witnesses told arriving officers a man and woman had just stolen some merchandise. Police said it appeared to have been a box fan.

When store staff approached the man to try to get the company's property back, the thief pulled out a silver gun, pointed it at store employees and fled the store, police said.

Police said the man was described as 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, between 160 and 190 pounds and white. He wore an orange hat, white t-shirt and black athletic shorts.

His companion was described as a 25- to 35-year-old woman wearing a black sweatshirt, jeans and sandals, according to Sgt. Tony Scipione.

No description of a possible escape vehicle or surveillance images of the the incident were immediately available. Anyone with information about the incident was asked to contact Niles Police Department detectives at 847-588-6570.