2 teens charged in Arlington Heights gas station robbery

Two young Arlington Heights men face armed robbery charges in connection with the Oct. 8 holdup of a Mobil Station in the 1800 block of South Arlington Heights Road, police announced Wednesday.

Rakeem D. Simmons, 17, of the 300 block of West Golf Road, is charged with armed robbery and unlawful possession of cannabis. Sean L. Joplin, 18, of the same address, is charged with armed robbery.

Officers were notified Monday that someone had cannabis at the Golf Road address, Arlington Heights police Capt. Nicholas Pecora said. Simmons was arrested and taken to the station on the possession charge.

Officers asking questions at the scene were told Simmons and someone else in the area might have been involved in the robbery.

The second suspect was identified as Joplin, who agreed to go to the police station. Officers received statements and got consent to search the residence where they found clothing apparently worn in the robbery.

Joplin is accused of using a hammer in a paper bag in the robbery of an undisclosed amount of money, while police said Simmons acted as a lookout.

The teen's address listed as the Older Adolescent Group Home, which is run by Shelter Inc. The agency provides emergency and temporary housing to youths.