Man Arrested for Robbing Casino Customers in Chinatown
A man from the Near North Side is facing charges for allegedly robbing a casino customer in Chinatown after the victim disembarked from a shuttle bus. This incident is one of four similar robberies targeting casino patrons who had taken the shuttle earlier that day, as reported by the Chicago police.
On Wednesday night, a tactical unit was conducting patrols in Chinatown, specifically searching for a vehicle involved in three robberies that took place around 1:30 a.m. The victims of these crimes reported being targeted right after exiting the casino shuttle.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., the tactical team spotted Willie Greenwood, 27, driving a black Hyundai Tucson in the 200 block of West 23rd Street. Greenwood consented to a search of his vehicle, during which officers discovered a BB gun pistol in his glove compartment.
A security officer in Chinatown contacted the police to report a robbery involving a 65-year-old man just moments before the traffic stop. The victim recounted being accosted by a masked individual who brandished a gun and demanded money. The victim handed over $105, including five $20 bills, before the robber fled empty-handed after searching the victim’s pockets.
Surveillance video footage obtained by the CPD showed Greenwood exiting his car and running down West 24th Street during the time of the robbery, then returning to his vehicle shortly thereafter. Initially denying any involvement, Greenwood later admitted to being the person in the video but claimed he was searching for his girlfriend’s car.
During the arrest, officers found $400 in Greenwood’s possession, including the same denomination of bills taken from the victim. The victim positively identified Greenwood as the perpetrator of the robbery.
Following a court hearing, Judge Deidre Dyer remanded Greenwood into custody on Friday afternoon on charges of armed robbery. While he is not currently charged with the earlier robberies on the same day, the investigation is ongoing.
