No new clues in search for Bloomingdale hatchet bandit

Bloomingdale police still are searching for a suspect after two businesses were robbed in one week by a hatchet-wielding man.

Sgt. Mike Gicla said investigators believe it's possible the same man robbed the Hometown Pantry Convenience Store at 360 W. Shick Road at about 3 p.m. Monday, and the Meijer gas station at 128 S. Gary Ave. about 9:30 p.m. Sept. 14.

No one was injured in either incident.

"All I can say is the suspect is still at large and the case is under investigation," Gicla said.

He said police are working to secure video footage or photos from both crime scenes.

No customers were in the stores at the time and the suspect fled on foot. In both cases, the man wore a bandanna covering his mouth and nose, a red one during the first robbery and a white one Monday.

In the Sept. 14 robbery, the suspect escaped with about $1,200 after holding a small hatchet with a dark handle and demanding money from two station employees, who emptied two cash drawers. The suspect in Monday's robbery used the same tactic with one clerk and got away with roughly $500.

"The hatchet is unusual from my experience," Gicla said.

The sales clerk unsuccessfully tried to follow the man Monday, but lost him, police said.

Witnesses to the Sept. 14 robbery said the suspect was a white man, about 20 years old, with blond hair and a slim build. He was wearing a black-knit ski can over the red bandanna.

This week's suspect was described as a white man standing about 6 feet tall with a medium build. He wore all black clothing, a white baseball hat and the white bandanna.

Gicla said investigators are working with Addison police, who are probing a similar robbery earlier this year.

Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to call Investigator Matt Wolenberg at (630) 529-9868.