Cops: man tried to rob Palatine Walgreens

A 22-year-old Lake Barrington man faces armed robbery charges after walking behind the front counter of a Palatine Walgreens Saturday night and holding up a cashier at knife point.

Police said Justin K. Poly of the 25060 block of Pawnee Road entered the Walgreens on the corner of Northwest Highway and Palatine Road at about 6:52 p.m. Saturday wearing a hoodie, baseball hat, sunglasses and a backpack.

The clerk told police Poly walked behind the counter while armed with a knife and demanded money, but when the woman attempted to call 911 he shoved her out of the way.

Poly then went for the next person in a line, a customer at the counter, who he demanded hand over his wallet, said Palatine Police Cmdr. Kurt Schroeder.

Poly shoved the customer, who refused to hand over a wallet, and ran out the store, Schroeder said.

Another customer in the store had dialed 911 while the attempted robbery was in progress, and police were able to chase down Poly a few blocks from the store and place him under arrest, Schroeder said.

Police searched Poly’s backpack and found candy, condoms and sunglasses.

He admitted to the crime once at the police station and was charged with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, two counts of battery and aggravated unlawful restraint, according to police.

Bail was set at $85,000 Monday. Poly is due in court on June 23.