Cops: Men dressed as police robbed cigarette store

Two men dressed like police officers robbed a cigarette store of 780 cartons after identifying themselves as inspectors, according to police.

The two Chicago men told an employee at the Little Shopper Cigarette Store in Elmhurst they were there to inspect cigarette stamps and led the employee to the back storage room, according to police.

When in the backroom, the men handcuffed the employee and seated him before fleeing the store, 697 N. York Road, with the cigarettes. Police valued the stolen cartons at $39,000.

Responding officers located the vehicle as it was fleeing the area at 9:42 a.m. Friday and arrested the two suspects after a short chase.

Claiborne Robertson, 42, of the 4200 block of West Crystal Street, and Charles Tyrone Watkins, 41, of the 4200 block of West Iowa Street, were charged with armed robbery with a firearm.

They are being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the DuPage County jail.