3 charged in series of suburban robberies

Three Chicago residents were charged Thursday in connection to a Des Plaines robbery in which one of the suspects exchanged phone numbers with a gas station clerk before her accomplice stole cash at knife point, authorities said.

Ahmed Fathi, 27, Samantha Perez, 24, and Ayham Alamawi, 24, are charged with armed robbery. Fathi was also charged with aggravated robbery.

The three are also accused of robberies in Schaumburg and Glenview, police said.

The gas station clerk told investigators a man and woman, later identified as Fathi and Perez, walked into the Marathon gas station, 1222 Lee St., Monday. Perez told the clerk she was interested in him, and he entered his phone number into her phone, police said. She then called the employee's phone so he would have her number, police said.

When the clerk walked around from behind the cash register, Fathi pulled a knife, cutting the employee's cheek while trying to put the blade to his throat, police said. Fathi took cash, and the two fled in a vehicle driven by Alamawi, police said.

Investigators learned Tuesday Fathi, Perez and Alamawi had been arrested in connection to a robbery at Dunkin' Donuts in Glenview.

Fathi, Perez and Alamawi also face charges in connection to a robbery at knife point 2:12 a.m. Tuesday at the Shell gas station, 2501 N. Meacham Road in Schaumburg, Sgt. Christy Lindhurst said. The suspects are set to appear in bond court 1:30 p.m. Friday.