Man Accused of Robbing Taco Bell in Downtown Chicago After Cutting Off Electronic Monitoring Bracelet
CHICAGO — Authorities revealed that the man who allegedly robbed a Taco Bell in downtown Chicago had removed his electronic monitoring bracelet while on the run from a pending shoplifting case. Misael “Javier” Velazquez, 35, is also suspected of burglarizing the same restaurant, again after tampering with his ankle monitor.
Velazquez had been placed on electronic monitoring on December 17, but disappeared the following day during a period of “essential movement” allowed by state law for individuals on house arrest, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
After his ankle monitor sent a “strap tamper” alert, indicating an attempt to remove the device, investigators discovered the monitor in the 600 block of West Ohio Street, detached from Velazquez, the sheriff’s office reported.
Subsequently, Velazquez faces charges for committing two felonies at Taco Bell, located at 178 North Wabash, within the span of a week.
On January 21, he entered the restaurant wearing a mask and allegedly carrying a gun in a sling bag across his chest. Prosecutors claimed he stole the cash register containing $130 and forcefully broke it open by slamming it onto the ground.
Law enforcement apprehended Velazquez shortly afterward in the first block of East Lower Wacker, where they also recovered the cash register in a dumpster behind the 100 block of North State.
An employee at Taco Bell identified Velasquez as the same individual who had attempted to steal the cash register a week earlier, on January 14.
Judge David Kelly granted the state’s detention petition, ordering Velazquez to remain in custody on the new charges. He is also being held for failing to comply with pretrial release conditions related to the shoplifting case.
