Man charged with robbing two North Side stores at gunpoint in one evening

CHICAGO — A man has been charged with robbing two stores at gunpoint on the North Side in late December, crimes that were part of a pattern Chicago police announced in a community alert.

Anthony Wilson, 23, worked with an accomplice who remains at large to rob the stores, prosecutors said during a detention hearing.

The men first robbed Walgreens, 5625 North Ridge, around 6:04 p.m. on December 30. Prosecutors said the accomplice displayed a firearm as the men took money from two employees, a 21-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man.

Less than two hours later, the men allegedly robbed Family Dollar, 3239 West Lawrence. This time, officials said, Wilson displayed the gun as the duo took money from a 23-year-old cashier.

An anonymous tip directed investigators to Wilson. Cops arrested him after he appeared in court for another pending case.

Anthony Wilson (Chicago Police Department)

Judge David Kelly, citing public safety concerns, detained Wilson on four counts of armed robbery with a firearm. Kelly said Wilson had been convicted of robbery twice before.

The pending case accuses Wilson of felony shoplifting at Macy’s 111 North State on December 31, the day after the robberies were committed.

Earlier this month, police warned businesses about the robberies that Wilson is charged with, as well as a second robbery crew that had been targeting stores in the area. Police arrested a 14-year-old boy last Friday in connection with the second crime pattern. They said he participated in ten robberies, mostly of Walgreens and convenience stores.

CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com