Round Lake Beach man pleads not guilty to Fox Lake robbery
A Round Lake Beach man accused of participating in a Fox Lake gas station robbery has pleaded not guilty.
Rashon Jackson, 25, of the 2000 block of North Stratford Road in Round Lake Beach, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of aggravated robbery and retail theft of less than $300, said Cynthia Vargas, communication manager for the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.
Jackson remains in Lake County jail on $75,000 bail.
Authorities say Jackson walked into a Mobil gas station on Rollins Road at 6:45 p.m. Jan. 7, picked up a case of beer from a cooler and walked to the front of the store, authorities said.
When he arrived at the front counter, authorities said, a 16-year-old juvenile carrying a replica machine gun came in and demanded the clerk open the register.
Authorities said the clerk told the teen to put down the weapon and tried to push the in-store panic button, but Jackson moved behind the counter and tried to hit him.
The clerk managed to push the button anyway, and Jackson and the teen left the store. On the way out, Jackson grabbed the case of beer and the juvenile grabbed miniature bottles of alcohol from the counter, officials said.
Authorities said officers used a police dog, footprints in the snow and the small miniature bottles of alcohol to track the two back to a nearby house, where they were arrested.
Jackson is due back in court March 15, Vargas said. His trial is scheduled to begin on March 30.