Serial Pizzeria Robbers Caught After Latest Heist
WHEATON, Ill. (STMW) - Two serial pizzeria robbers were caught red-handed Monday night after ordering employees into a freezer while robbing a west suburban restaurant at gunpoint.
Police from multiple departments were conducting surveillance on individuals suspected of multiple armed robberies of pizza establishments throughout the western suburbs, and arrested them about 10:15 p.m. Monday after they robbed a restaurant in the 1200 block of West Ogden Avenue in Naperville, according to Naperville police.
Officers arrested the men after they ran from the restaurant, a release from police said. The suspects provided "some resistance," but no officers or people in the establishment were injured.
Cory M. Paytes, 22, of Montgomery; and Travis J. Gamble, 22, of Oswego, were charged with armed robbery, aggravated robbery and resisting a peace officer, the release said.
Police say they are also suspected of robbing pizzerias in Lisle, Plainfield, St. Charles, Yorkville and Oswego.
Bond for Paytes was set at $1 million on Wednesday, while Gamble was ordered held on $300,000, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's office release.
Prosecutors said the men entered the store wearing ski masks, then ordered employees at gunpoint into a freezer. They let one employee out to open the safe and cash registers, then ordered the employee back into the freezer.
The two fled with the stolen money and were met by police.
Paytes' next court date is scheduled for Jan. 23, while Gamble will appear on Jan 24. If convicted, each man faces up to 30 years in prison, the release said.
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