Elgin man charged with armed robbery

Police arrested an Elgin man minutes after an armed robbery near the intersection of State and Morgan streets in Elgin Monday afternoon.

Jesus K. Martinez, 22, of the 300 block of Orchard Street, was found in an alley just a couple blocks from the scene of the robbery at about 2:30 p.m., according to Lt. Dan O'Shea. The victim and a witness both identified the man, who also was found with stolen cash and checks, O'Shea said.

According to police, Martinez, who was on parole from the Department of Corrections, approached a 36-year-old man from Des Plaines on the street with a gun. He took about $250 in cash and $600 in checks and then ran north.

He was not found with a gun, but charged with armed robbery based on the victim and witness reports, O'Shea said.

Martinez was also charged with robbery. Both charges are felonies. If convicted of the more serious offense, Martinez could spend up to 30 years in prison.

Bail was set at $400,000 Tuesday in Kane County bond court. Martinez must pay 10 percent to be released before his next court date, scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 8 in St. Charles.