Naperville cops seek suspect in gas station robberies

Naperville police are hunting for a suspect in two early morning armed robberies of gas stations that occurred within minutes of each other Wednesday.

The suspect first entered a Shell gas station at 1707 S. Washington St. about 1:30 a.m., displayed a silver handgun and demanded money, police said. The clerk handed over an undisclosed amount of cash and last saw the suspect heading north on Washington Street.

While responding to that call, police were notified that a clerk at a Mobil gas station a few blocks north at 1576 S. Washington St. had just reported an attempted robbery.

The clerk at Mobil told police a man entered the store, displayed a silver handgun and demanded cash. However, police believe the suspect saw officers responding to the first robbery and quickly left the store with no money after becoming spooked. He was last seen eastbound on Bailey Road.

A police dog was called in to assist in the search, but was unsuccessful at locating the suspect, police said.

No one was injured in either incident.

Police describe the man as being in his early to mid-40s, standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white zip-up hooded sweatshirt, light colored pants, white work gloves and brown shoes.

Anyone with information should call investigators at (630) 420-6726, or anonymous tips can be left at the Naperville Crime Stoppers hotline at (630) 420-6006.