Man shot in Wauconda linked to robberies in Arkansas

The man shot during Monday’s botched robbery of the Wauconda Pharmacy is also charged in a similar robbery in Arkansas, police said Tuesday.

Fayetteville Police Sgt. Bill Phelan said Guy Conti, 31, walked into the Medicap pharmacy in the Arkansas town on Oct. 16 and stole about $500 in oxycodone and methadone pills while carrying what was thought to be a shotgun under his arm.

Conti was arrested that evening, Phelan said, and confessed to the theft. Conti also told police he was carrying a metal mop handle wrapped in clothing, not a shotgun.

Washington County, Ark., prosecutors said Conti was charged with felony burglary, aggravated robbery and criminal mischief, as well as a misdemeanor count of theft of property, on Oct. 17.

Conti was free on $25,000 bond and due back in an Arkansas courtroom March 2, officials said, when he was shot Monday while trying to rob the Wauconda Pharmacy in downtown Wauconda.

Conti remains in stable condition at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville after more than two hours in surgery Monday night, Wauconda Police Chief Doug Larsson said.

Larsson said an employee at the drugstore shot and wounded Conti after he walked into the pharmacy about 1:45 p.m. wearing a ski mask and brandishing a large, butcher-style knife.

Conti, who was staying with relatives in Island Lake, forced his way into the pharmacists’ work area and demanded a large quantity of painkillers, Larsson said.

After being handed the drugs, Conti was overpowered by store employees, Larsson said. Conti broke free but made threatening advances toward a technician and pharmacist while wielding the knife, Larsson said.

That prompted the pharmacist to grab a large-caliber gun and fire more than one round, striking Conti with a single bullet, Larsson said. Several employees and a couple of customers were in the store, but only Conti was injured.

Charges are not expected against the pharmacy employee who legally owns the registered gun and was allowed to have it in the business, Larsson said.

The pharmacy was open Tuesday, but an employee who answered the phone said, due to the ongoing police investigation, they were not allowed to speak with the media.

Larsson said Conti’s car was recovered about two blocks from the store, and officers are obtaining a warrant to search the vehicle.

Larsson said charges against Conti were expected to be approved later this week, but he added the robbery is still under investigation.

Larsson said authorities have completed additional interviews and are reviewing “excellent quality” video of the shooting.

Larsson added he has been in touch with Arkansas officials to determine whether Conti will need to return to Arkansas before answering charges here.