Crime

Jewelry Store Security Guard Killed in Armed Robbery

CrimeNov 18, 2022

Jewelry Store Security Guard Killed in Armed Robbery

Police in Calumet City, Illinois are looking for several suspects involved in the robbery of a jewelry store in the River Oaks Mall.

2021_Crime police cars.jpg
Police are searching for suspects involved in a the fatal armed robbery in of a jewelry store in Calumet City, Illinois, a town located about an hour south of Chicago.
Calumet City, Ill.—Police in Calumet City, Illinois, are on the lookout for several suspects after a jewelry store security guard was shot and killed Wednesday during an armed robbery.

The 57-year-old security guard, whose name has not yet been released, was killed during a robbery of an unnamed jewelry store inside the River Oaks Mall.

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Calumet City Police Chief Kevin Kolosh shared more details about the incident.

He said the officers responded to reports of shots fired at 12:15 p.m.

Several officers were already near the scene at the time because they were attending an active shooter training session in an adjacent building, according to a report by ABC7 Chicago.

Upon arrival, officers found a male security guard with multiple gunshot wounds, Kolosh said. They performed life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.

The guard was rushed to the hospital, where he later died.

A second male victim, 81, was treated on the scene for a minor hand injury due to broken glass.

 Related stories will be right here … 

Though Kolosh did not publicly confirm the number of suspects, a surveillance video shared by CBS Chicago shows three individuals in dark clothing inside the store, breaking open display cases.

The mall initiated lockdown procedures for over an hour as police searched the mall, but no arrests were made.

Witnesses told police the suspects left the mall and drove away. The amount of merchandise stolen and the worth is unknown.

Following the search, police escorted employees and shoppers out of the building.

The mall will remain closed until further notice.

Calumet City spokesman Sean Howard joined the press conference to note that there have been ongoing security concerns at the mall.

“We’ve been in constant talks about taking over this mall for a variety of reasons, but particularly for safety and security,” he said.

“The residents here have a very negative opinion of this mall. It has a very bad stigma attached.”

The investigation is ongoing, led by the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force and Calumet City detectives.

Lenore Fedowis the associate editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.
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