Waukegan man charged with robbing Shields Township gas station
A Waukegan man has been charged with theft and aggravated robbery for robbing a Shields Township gas station, authorities said.
Police reviewed security photos of the Wednesday morning robbery and later that day arrested Gil Orlando Melendez, 32, of the 600 block of County Street.
He's being held in the Lake County jail on $150,000 bail, authorities said on Thursday.
Police say Melendez walked into the gas station on the 28700 block of North Waukegan Road about 3:15 a.m. and tried to purchase cigarettes and alcohol with a credit card.
When the credit card was declined during the purchase, the man threatened the clerk while reaching for a gun he had tucked into his waistband, authorities said.
The clerk handed over the cigarettes, and the gunman ran from the gas station in an unknown direction, authorities said.
Lake County sheriff's detectives coordinated with other local police departments and county correctional officers to determine the robber's identity, authorities said.
Police also linked Melendez to the theft of cigarettes from a Wadsworth gas station on the 39100 block of North Route 41 on Nov. 24, authorities said.
North Chicago police arrested Melendez on in front of a residence on 10th Street, authorities said.
Detectives are investigating these thefts, as well as other retail thefts Melendez could have been involved in, authorities said.
"Our detectives have been investigating this incident since it occurred. Through their investigative work and collaboration with our correctional personnel, as well as local police departments, they quickly identified the offender and obtained an arrest warrant," Sheriff John Idleburg said.
"I am very proud of our staff working together to bring these cases to a fast resolution."