Quick thinking helps cab driver in Gurnee robbery

A cabdriver who was being robbed near Gurnee alerted dispatchers by keying up his radio microphone while the offender held a rusty gun to his head, Lake County Sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.

Lt. Christopher Thompson said the taxi driver was summoned to the 37000 block of Shirley Drive near Gurnee about 10 p.m. Monday where he was approached by a black man wearing a ski mask, a black hoodie and black pants, and holding a gun.

Thompson said the robber, who stood 5-feet, 9-inches to 6-feet tall, pointed the rusty revolver at the cabdriver’s face and demanded money, Thompson said.

At that time, the cabdriver keyed up his radio microphone to let company dispatchers know what was taking place, Thompson said, before telling the robber he didn’t have any money.

The robber fled the scene without firing a shot at the cabdriver, Thompson said. The cabdriver was not injured.

Dispatchers from the cab company called the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and deputies searched for the offender with help from a North Chicago K9 Unit. However, the search came up empty, Thompson said.

Police officials said the taxi was headed to a home on Shirley, but the robber had no connection to the residents.