By Marci Laehr Tenuta
Journal Times | Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 12:00 am
RACINE - A Racine man has been charged in Racine County Circuit Court for two commercial robberies that happened here in late July.
Gregory N. Simmons, 49, of 1836 Taylor Ave., is accused of robbing Family Video, 2065 Lathrop Ave., the Dollar Tree, 3925 Durand Ave., and attempting to steal from the Walgreen's Pharmacy at 4810 Washington Ave.
He has been charged with attempted misdemeanor theft and two counts of robbery with the use of force, all as a repeat offender. If convicted he faces up to 44 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, Racine police officers were called to the Walgreen's on July 17 for a report of a possible robbery.
A clerk said that around 8:15 p.m. a man came in, stayed in the store for about 10 minutes and then leaned over and told her to open her cash register drawer. She told police she didn't respond. When he whispered it a second time, she walked away and informed a manager about the incident, but the suspect left the store.
About 20 minutes later, the Family Video was robbed by a man with a similar description. He walked in and told the clerk to open the cash register and give him the money. Reports said the clerk opened the drawer, the suspect grabbed the money, pushed the store employee. He allegedly told her not to say anything, and then left.
During the robbery, the suspect allegedly put his fingers in the clerk's back.
Video surveillance from both stores led investigators to believe the same person had robbed both.
Three days later, officers were called to the Dollar Tree for a report of a robbery.
In that incident, the offender walked right to the register and grabbed money out of an open drawer. The clerk told police she jumped back, dialed 911 and was chased by the suspect to the back of the store. Reports said he was demanding more money.
The complaint says the suspect then went back to the front of the store, took more money from the register and fled.
In a photo lineup, witnesses identified Simmons as the offender in the robberies. An investigator also recognized Simmons as the offender in the robbery of the Dollar Tree from video surveillance.
Simmons was arrested by police, and while being interviewed told investigators that he needed help because of a drug problem and other personal problems. He allegedly admitted to robbing Family Video. Police said he told them he did not remember the Dollar Tree incident at all, but woke up the next morning with money in his pocket and wondered what he had done.