Gurnee police seeking possible witness to armed robbery attempt
Gurnee police are looking for a witness they believe can help them in their investigation of armed robberies at hotels in the village and neighboring Waukegan.
Police said the bandit most recently tried to stick up the LaQuinta Inn at 5688 Northridge Drive, just east of the Tri-State Tollway and Grand Avenue.
In the LaQuinta incident, reported at 8:21 p.m. Feb. 10, said police, the suspect walked into the lobby, placed a duffel bag on a counter and instructed a desk clerk to place cash inside of it.
But instead of following the suspect's demand, the clerk fled to an adjacent office and called police. The man fled without getting any money.
Officers, assisted by police canine units, searched the area by the hotel without success.
Gurnee police Cmdr. Jay Patrick said a possible witness to the attempted armed robbery was noticed sitting on a bench outside the LaQuinta Inn before the incident happened. Police say the man is a "person of interest" and want to speak to him.
Nora Rubel, an assistant shift supervisor with the Lake County sheriff's communications division, was brought in to form a composite sketch of the possible witness. The man had a thick mustache and goatee and was seen wearing a white baseball cap with an unknown logo.
Patrick said there have been few leads in the string of armed robberies in Gurnee and Waukegan, which is why police hope the sketch helps them find the witness.
"It is a bit out of the norm," he said.
Meanwhile, the bandit was described after the LaQuinta incident as 40 to 47 years old, 180 to 200 pounds and last observed wearing a black knit cap with eye holes pulled over his face, a black jacket and blue jeans.
Police said the suspect wore white latex gloves and had a black duffel bag in the LaQuinta Inn incident. He was armed with a large knife with a brown handle.
It's believed the same bandit committed armed robberies Jan. 25 at Country Inn & Suites at 5420 Grand Ave. in Gurnee, also near the tollway, and at Midlane Golf Resort on Yorkhouse Road in Waukegan.
Police said the suspect was described after the Country Inn and Midlane jobs as a man with a light complexion, late 30s to early 40s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 215 to 225 pounds. He carried a black duffel bag, a large carving knife with black handle and wore a ski mask, latex gloves and dirty clothing.
Anyone with information about the LaQuinta Inn witness or armed robbery suspect is asked to telephone Gurnee police at (847) 599-7000 or Waukegan police at (847) 360-9000. Anonymous tips also may be left with Lake County Crime Stoppers at (847) 662-2222.
In all, police said the same man is believed responsible for one robbery in Gurnee and three in Waukegan.