Waukegan man charged after armed robberies
A Waukegan man has been accused of robbing two businesses and trying to rob a third.
Police on Tuesday issued charges against Ainsley A. Ball, 27, for a crime spree that took place Aug. 25, authorities said.
Ball was charged with aggravated robbery for taking cash from the Thornton's gas station at Green Bay Road and Sunset Avenue at 1:30 a.m. that day, according to a news release. Police said Ball used a BB gun in the robbery.
Later that day, police said, he tried to rob the Citgo gas station at Glen Rock Avenue and Belvidere Street at 12:20 p.m. but wasn't able to take any cash. Ball was charged with attempted aggravated robbery in that case.
A little more than an hour later, authorities said, Ball robbed the Waukegan Fruit Market at Lewis Avenue and 10th Street, using the BB gun to take cash from the store. Cops spotted him fleeing in a vehicle and arrested him after a chase, police said. He was charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and driving with a suspended license.
Ball was also charged with residential burglary of a residence on the 1900 block of 10th Street on Aug. 22.
He is being held at the Lake County jail on $300,000 bail He is due in court Sept. 17.