Man Charged In Hatchet-Wielding Robbery At Wheaton Walgreens

WHEATON, IL — A Carol Stream man has been accused of using a hatchet to rob a Walgreens in Wheaton. Jason Zell, 32, of the 500 block of Gunderson Drive, was charged with felony armed robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with Saturday's incident.

Police say Zell came to the Walgreens at 1601 North Main St. just before 9 p.m. and bought an item. According to police, when the clerk opened the register to complete the purchase, Zell placed a silver-bladed hatchet on the counter and reached around the plastic barricade to steal cash from the register. Zell is then accused of knocking over the plastic barricade, retrieving the hatchet and fleeing on foot.

Police say Zell flagged down a Wheaton officer two days later and turned himself in.

“The allegation against Mr. Zell, that he brandished a hatchet at the store clerk who was just trying to make an honest living and stole hundreds of dollars will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

This marks the second armed robbery in Wheaton in less than a week. On Wednesday, the CVS at 1400 E. Roosevelt Rd. was robbed at knifepoint.

Zell is currently being held in DuPage County Jail on $300,000 bond. He is set to appear in court again on Feb. 11.