Man charged in 3 McHenry Co. Walgreens robberies
A Chicago man has been charged with holding up three Walgreens stores in Crystal Lake, Cary and Fox River Grove.
The man was arrested in Fox River Grove Tuesday after robbing a Walgreens at 900 Northwest Hwy., police said.
Employees at the Walgreens in Fox River Grove recognized the man from photos distributed by police, according to a news release.
"The Walgreens employees did a fantastic job," Fox River Grove Police Chief Ron Lukasik said. "They did everything perfect in order to help us catch this individual."
Police said they arrested 58-year-old John Malaszenko of the 9900 block of South Longwood Drive in Chicago without incident at about 4:15 p.m. as he was leaving the store.
A .22-caliber Colt revolver and $299 in cash allegedly stolen from the Fox River Grove store were recovered in the arrest, police said.
Malaszenko was charged with armed robbery for stealing $299 and a $2 chocolate bar from the Fox River Grove store, according to court documents.
He was also charged with armed robbery, theft of more than $300 and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the Crystal Lake and Cary robberies, police said.
He is being held at McHenry County jail on $150,000 bond.
He is not suspected in the Tuesday robbery of a Cary 7-Eleven at knifepoint, Cary Police Det. Sgt. Ed Synek said.
Ironically, Malaszenko's careful method of operating, according to police, may have led to his arrest.
According to police employees recognized Malaszenko when he walked into the store, and called police. As he had in the earlier robberies, he walked around the store for 15 to 20 minutes before approaching the counter to make a small purchase.
He lifted up his shirt to show a revolver and told the female cashier to give him all the money in the register. But by the time Malaszenko left the store, police were there to arrest him.
Police say they searched Malaszenko's vehicle but were not able to recover cash from any earlier robberies he may have committed.
During questioning, Malaszenko admitted he robbed the Fox River Grove Walgreens, police said.
A Cary Walgreens at 500 Northwest Hwy. was robbed on Thursday, and a Crystal Lake Walgreens was robbed Jan. 28.
Police are not certain if Malaszenko had a hand in any other robberies in the area or in Michigan, where he lived for some time before moving to Chicago.
"We want to check to make sure there are no similar crimes," Lukasik said.
Malaszenko was appointed the McHenry County Public Defender, stating in an affidavit seeking legal counsel that he is unemployed and has no property or assets.
He is scheduled to return to court Feb. 24. If convicted of the armed robbery charges, Malaszenko could face up to 30 years in prison.
• Staff Writer Charles Keeshan contributed to this report.