Police arrest suspects in Waukegan 'staged' robbery

Waukegan police arrested a brother-sister duo accused of staging a robbery at a U.S. Cellular store Tuesday.

Police were summoned to the store at 3086 N. Lewis at around 8:30 p.m. for an armed robbery.

Officers met with the store clerk, Luz Linares, who claimed a man wearing dark clothing and a black ski mask pointed a gun at her and threatened to shoot her if she spoke, police said.

According to a news release, Linares told police the man demanded money and she escorted him to the store safe, removed the cash and checks and put them in a bag. She said the man dumped cell phones and accessories into a bag and fled from the rear exit of the store.

But when detectives began interviewing Linares, she admitted to being involved in a monthlong scheme stealing money from the daily deposits, police said.

Linares, 22, who lives on the 1600 block of Lorelei in Zion, staged the robbery with her brother, Raymundo Linares, 21, who lives on the 4300 block of Finch Court in Gurnee, police said.

Police said they recovered the stolen cash, cell phones and other evidence used during the commission of the "robbery."

U.S. Cellular is conducting an audit to determine exactly how much money was stolen.

Both Luz and Raymundo Linares were charged with theft and burglary and have been remanded to the custody of the Lake County jail in lieu of $25,000 bond each.