Armed Robberies Reported At Gas Stations In Park Ridge

PARK RIDGE, IL — A masked man with a gun robbed a gas station in Park Ridge early Wednesday, police said. Police were dispatched to the scene of a reported armed robbery around 5:40 a.m. at the the Shell station at 2301 W. Touhy Ave.

A clerk at the station told police that a man showed up and confronted him as he was getting ready to open for business. The robber brandished a silver handgun and told the clerk to hand over cash to avoid getting hurt, according to police.

After getting the clerk to provide about $100 from the register, the gunman fled the scene, police said. The robber was described as a 6-foot-tall white man with a slim build, wearing a ski mask, gloves and all dark-colored clothing. He fled on foot, according to police.

Another armed robbery at a Park Ridge Shell station was reported less than four days earlier, police said. Around 10 p.m. on Sept. 7, a gunmen with a similar physical description and a similar type of gun robbed the station at 900 Tallcott Road, stealing about $1,000 as the clerk was closing up shop.

Park Ridge Police Deputy Chief Duane Mellema said there were "substantial similarities between the two incidents." In both cases, the robber covered his face and produced a silver handgun. Mellema said the physical descriptions of the gunmen were also consistent but investigators had not confirmed a single suspect is being sought in both incidents.

Anyone with information about either incident was asked to contact the Park Ridge Police Department by calling 847-318-5252 or by texting "TIP ICARE" followed by an anonymous tip to 888-777.

Update: Rosemont Cop Drove Getaway Car In Armed Robberies: Prosecutors