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24-year-old gas station clerk dies in Streamwood stabbing

A gas station clerk was stabbed and killed during an apparent robbery early Saturday in Streamwood, police said.

Authorities identified the victim as 24-year-old Anandkumar Jaiswal of the 0-100 block of North Park Boulevard in Streamwood.

Police and fire personnel found him bleeding from his chest at 4:36 a.m. Saturday while responding to a call at the Thornton's gas station, 2 N. Barrington Road, Streamwood Police Deputy Chief Jim Gremo said.

Jaiswal had been repeatedly stabbed and was bleeding “profusely,” authorities said. Paramedics took him to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where he was pronounced dead at 5:28 a.m. Police said family members were notified Saturday morning, and an autopsy was scheduled for Sunday.

Thornton's was offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. Police released three surveillance photos showing the suspect, who was dressed in dark clothing, wore one white shoe and one dark-colored shoe, and had his hands and face covered.

Police described him as between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet tall. Video captured him taking money from a cash register, and Gremo said robbery “seems to be the motive.”

At about 11 a.m., police were at the scene pulling video from the gas station's security camera.

The auto strip mall on the northwest corner of Barrington and Old Church roads was cordoned off with yellow police tape, and several squad cards blocked off the entrances all morning.

No customers were allowed in, and most of the businesses were closed.

Jack Shields, assistant manager at Casey Automotive in the strip mall, said he was shocked to hear about the stabbing when he got to work at 7:15 a.m. Most of the store's 11-member crew was sent to other stores, and Shields planned to close up at 12:30 p.m.

“It's tough because most of our employees go over there once or twice a day to get pop or coffee,” he said. “You get to know all the employees.”

Shields said he's worked at suburban gas stations in the past. “On the overnight shift, there is always a bit of uncertainty,” he said.

Shital Shah, who lives on Williamsburg Drive, said he usually gets gas at the Thornton's station. His kitchen window faces Barrington Road with a full view of the gas station, and he and his family watched police activity all morning.

“We were worried seeing what's going on there,” he said. “We definitely feel a little bit unsafe right now.”

Members of the major case assistance team are assisting Streamwood police in the investigation, Gremo said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Streamwood Police Department investigations division at (630) 736-3700. Confidential and anonymous information can be left on the crime tip line at (630) 736-3719.

The village's last homicide was the November 2011 strangulation death of a newborn baby boy inside a restroom at a Salvation Army store. The child's then-19-year-old mother, Jessica Cruz of Hanover Park, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide.

Daily Herald staff writer Josh Stockinger contributed to this report.

  Two unidentified dog handlers and a police officer return from a search in the area west of the gas station where police are reporting that a clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  An unidentified Streamwood police officer enters the scene where police say a gas station clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Police tape surrounds the Streamwood police as they work the scene where a gas station clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood, police said. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood police work the scene where a gas station clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood, police said. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Two unidentified Streamwood police officers prepare to work the scene where a gas station clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood, police said. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  A Streamwood police car secures the scene where police said a gas station clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  An unidentified Streamwood police photographer works the scene where police say a gas station clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Police say the man in this surveillance photo, described as between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet, dressed in dark clothing and wearing one white shoe and one dark shoe, is responsible for the stabbing death of a gas station clerk and a robbery early Saturday morning in Streamwood. Courtesy of Streamwood Police
  Two unidentified dog handlers prepare for a search as police tape surrounds a gas station where police are reporting that a clerk was stabbed and killed early Saturday morning in Streamwood. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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