3 men charged in string of suburban robberies

Three Chicago men have been charged with a string of armed robberies at businesses in the city and throughout the suburbs during a five-month stretch that began late last year.

Tyree Craig, 29, Jacobi Pickett, 21, and Jarryl Williams, 42, are all facing federal armed robbery charges, according to indictments released Thursday.

Among the robberies prosecutors said the trio perpetrated was the Oct. 31, 2013, holdup of a gas station in Arlington Heights. Convenience stores, fast food restaurants, pawn shops and jewelry stores in Lincolnwood, North Chicago, Skokie, Glenview, Wilmette and Hometown were also targeted by the men, prosecutors said.

Authorities said the men would enter the businesses, display a black handgun and demand money, jewelry and sometimes cigarettes.

Prosecutors said the men attempted to disguise themselves, but video surveillance at some robberies provided a similar pattern of clothing and appearance, prosecutors said.

If convicted of brandishing a firearm, the men face a maximum of life in prison.