Mastermind behind Lake Co. restaurant robbery caught

The man police say is the mastermind behind the attempted robbery and shooting of two employees at a popular eatery near Lake Bluff last year is behind bars.

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said Friday that Charles Knight, 45, an often-convicted felon with a penchant for violence, is held on a $2 million bond in Lake County jail. He is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and attempted armed robbery in connection with the failed robbery at The Silo restaurant.

"I am very pleased to announce that Charles Knight is in a cell where he belongs," Curran said. "This is an extremely dangerous individual and the streets are safer with him removed from them."

Curran said the FBI received a tip Knight was hiding in a house in Fort Wayne, Ind., and he was arrested Monday. Knight waived his right to an extradition hearing and was returned to Lake County on Thursday, Curran said.

He said he could not reveal other details about Knight's arrest before their presentation in court, but added Knight was captured without incident.

On Dec. 9, police say, Knight and another man still unidentified by authorities, entered The Silo restaurant at 625 Rockland Road in unincorporated Knollwood.

After eating a pizza, police said, the two announced a robbery and herded customers and employees toward a closet.

One man among the hostages broke for a door at the back of the restaurant, and police say Knight fired a single shot from a .40 caliber pistol in the direction of the man.

The bullet missed the man who was running, but struck a 27-year-old male employee in the right arm, then passed into the back of a 31-year-old male employee and lodged in his abdomen.

Both wounded men survived the shooting, and the robbers left without any money.

Within days of the botched robbery, police had matched to Knight a fingerprint on a glass left on the table where the suspects dined.

Shortly thereafter, they learned Knight had been in prison with a Silo employee, Edward Jackson, 40, at Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg.

Police found it too coincidental that Jackson, formerly of Chicago, had been behind bars with their prime suspect. He eventually confessed to helping plan the attempted robbery, police said.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm and is due in court Nov. 24.

The man officials say was with Knight during the robbery - Jackson has told them he knew him only as "James" or "Kenny Mack" - remains at large.

Employees at The Silo expressed relief Friday that Knight had been captured.

"I told my co-workers that he had been caught, and they just screamed with joy," said Nicole Sutton-Griffin, a server who was present during the Dec. 9 mayhem. "We were just happy to hear that he was in jail and he won't be able to harm anyone else."

Knight has been convicted of drug charges, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit murder in Cook and Winnebago counties.

He has been sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison, records show.

Knight is still wanted in Rockford in connection with a 2005 shootout between rival drug dealers that left one man dead.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Scheller said he believes Knight will be prosecuted in Lake County before being sent to Rockford.

"It is my understanding that our case will proceed first," Scheller said. "Barring an indictment by federal authorities, which would change everything, we intend to begin preparing for trial."

Knight is due to appear in court Nov. 17.

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