Aurora man charged in armed robbery
A Facebook post of surveillance photos from an armed robbery has led to the arrest of one of the suspects, Aurora police said Wednesday.
Police said they posted the photos last month after two men robbed a convenience store at gunpoint and battered both an employee and patron.
A quick public response to those photos led police to charge 19-year-old Dangelo Williams, of the 700 block of Liberty Street, with armed robbery and aggravated battery. Authorities said Williams is being treated at an Aurora hospital for issues unrelated to the robbery.
Police said they posted the surveillance photos on Feb. 17 asking for help in identifying the suspect and an accomplice who robbed the 7-Eleven convenience store on the 2200 block of South Eola Road around 11:35 p.m. Feb. 12.
On that same day, detectives received two phone calls from people saying they had seen the Facebook post and identifying Williams. The ensuing investigation confirmed his involvement, police said.
Williams was arrested Feb. 26 at his home on an unrelated warrant by members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. Police said they have not yet identified his accomplice.
Both men had their faces covered with bandannas when they entered the business and approached the 45-year-old clerk, police said. One of the suspects displayed a handgun before they demanded money and beat the clerk.
Police said the two grabbed cash and cigarettes. As they fled, Williams swung and struck a 20-year-old customer who had entered the business, but did not seriously injure him.
The employee was treated and released from an Aurora hospital.
Police described Williams' accomplice as a black man wearing dark clothing who stands between 5 feet, 9 inches and 6 feet and weighs between 160 and 180 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at (630) 256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to any arrests.