Two Chicago Teenagers Arrested on Federal Robbery Charges in Connection with Near North Side Restaurant Heist

CHICAGO — The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago has charged two Chicago teenagers with robbing a Near North Side sandwich shop earlier this week.  Law enforcement is also investigating whether the pair committed other robberies this month in the city’s downtown Loop neighborhood.

BRANTEZ EVANS, 18, and LAMARR BROWN, 19, are charged with one count of robbery for allegedly taking $307 during a heist Tuesday at a Subway restaurant, 1234 N. Halsted St. in Chicago, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  According to the complaint, Evans and Brown entered the restaurant, and Brown approached the counter, lifted the right side of his shirt and displayed what appeared to be a firearm.  Brown then told a clerk, “give me the money,” the complaint states.  When the clerk briefly hesitated, Brown allegedly stated, “Come on man you don’t want to get shot.”

Evans and Brown fled the restaurant with the cash but were arrested about 15 minutes later by officers from the Chicago Police Department’s 18th District.  The officers recovered a black BB gun that was consistent with the weapon described by the robbery victims, the complaint states.  Evans and Brown are also suspected of robbing two other Subway restaurants, a Dunkin Donuts, and a Mini-Mart, all in the downtown Loop neighborhood this month, according to the complaint.  The investigation remains ongoing.

Brown was scheduled to appear for a detention hearing this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim in Chicago.  Evans is set to appear for a detention hearing before Judge Kim on Monday at 1:00 p.m.

The complaint and arrests were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the FBI; Jason R. Wojdylo, Acting Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois; and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department.  The Federal Protective Service provided valuable assistance.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles W. Mulaney.

The robbery charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.  The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.