Aurora man arrested after police say he robbed a Family Dollar store

An Aurora man has been arrested after authorities say he pretended to have a gun and stole $427 from a Family Dollar store in Aurora in October.

Thomas Johnson, 25, faces felony counts of robbery and aggravated robbery in the Oct. 18 burglary of the store at 890 N. Lake St.

Police officers responded to the Family Dollar just after 7:20 p.m. They were told a man approached an employee at the cash register, claimed to have a gun, and demanded the register be opened. The employee complied, and the man fled the store after grabbing the cash, according to an Aurora Police Department news release.

As part of the initial investigation, officers canvassed the surrounding area and reviewed surveillance footage.

During a subsequent follow-up, detectives obtained additional surveillance footage showing the man believed to be involved in the robbery returning to the store five days later, officials said.

Detectives later identified Johnson as a suspect.

An arrest warrant was issued on Oct. 27, and Johnson was arrested on Oct. 30 by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force at an apartment in the 800 block of North Lake Street, according to the news release.

Johnson was ordered to remain in custody pending his trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 18.

rwest@dailyherald.com