Teens Batter Gas Station Attendant During Robbery: Morton Grove PD

MORTON GROVE, IL — Three juveniles have been arrested following a Tuesday morning robbery at a gas station where they had reportedly beaten up an attendant. Morton Grove police said the incident occurred during a regional crime saturation mission, which included coordination between a number of nearby police departments.

According to police, a group of Chicago teens aged between 14 and 15 were seen running from the Shell Gas Station in the 5600 block of Dempster Street at around 2:41 a.m. Officers located a vehicle believed to be involved a short time later.

When police attempted a traffic stop near Dempster Street and Milwaukee Avenue, the vehicle fled northbound on Milwaukee Avenue. The vehicle subsequently crashed in the 9400 block of Milwaukee Avenue.

Police said the the teens exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers, supported by K-9 units and a drone, conducted a search of the area. All three were taken into custody without further incident. A search of the vehicle recovered a Glock 17 handgun with an extended magazine and stolen property.

The teens were taken into custody and remanded to the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. All three were charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and mob action.

The mission involved coordination with the Niles, Skokie, Park Ridge, Lincolnwood, Winnetka, Glencoe, Glenview, Wilmette, and Evanston Police Departments. Personnel from these participating agencies assisted in the investigation and apprehension efforts.

"All of the agencies involved in these initiatives are committed to working together to address crime that impacts our communities," Morton Grove Police Chief Michael Weitzel said. "We are out there every day working proactively, sharing information, and doing our part to identify criminal offenders and disrupt criminal activity. Everyone in our respective communities deserves to feel safe where they live, work, and visit."

The Morton Grove Police Department is continuing to pursue investigative leads related to this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Morton Grove Police Department at 847-470-5200.