Pair Imply They Have Bomb to Rob Pizza Joint

Sarpino's restaurant on West Lake Street robbed just after 2 a.m. Friday

A couple implied they had a bomb in a duffle bag in order to rob a pizza restaurant on Chicago's near west side early Friday morning, police said.

A man and a woman went into a Sarpino's shop on the 600 block of West Lake Street just after 2 a.m., ordered pizza and sat down at a table. Police said the pair later approached the counter with scarves around their faces and ordered an employee to hand over cash.

Although no weapon was shown, the man implied he had an explosive device inside a duffle bag he was carrying, police said.

The woman took cash from the restaurant’s vault before the pair ran away. No one was injured in the robbery.

One robber was a white man who stood between 5 feet, 10 inches and 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighed between 150 and 160 pounds. He was wearing dark clothing, a baseball cap and a black scarf. The woman was a white woman who stood stood about 5 feet, 5 inches or 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighed between 150 and 160 pounds. Police said she was wearing a skull cap and a black scarf.

A pair matching similar descriptions robbed a 7-Eleven store fewer than four hours earlier at 2323 W. Lawernce St. in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. The couple asked the cleark about lottery tickets then announced a robbery. Police say the man pulled out a shotgun and fled with $60.

"White couple, older, well, middle-aged lady and a younger kinda guy," 7-11 manager Jeff Menier said. "I'd hate for anyone to go through what this poor kid went through."

Police are investigating whether the robberies are related.

Investigators have surveillance video from both robberies, but haven't released it publicly.

Contact Us