THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

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Serial Robber Caught?

A man suspected of committing 17 area armed robberies, including two recent robberies in Des Plaines, is being held in Lake County Jail following his arrest in Antioch on May 8.

The suspect, Piotr Jaworowski, 31, of 1118 N. Dale, Arlington Hts., is believed to have committed robberies in Des Plaines on Mar. 4 of a Dunkin Donuts, 2120 Miner St., and at Aldi Food Store, 1365 Lee St., on Apr. 23. According to police, Jaworowski was taken into custody after allegedly committing an armed robbery in Antioch. He was transported to Lake County Jail and interviewed by several police agencies including Des Plaines. Local detectives Mike Heene and John Rice interviewed the suspect who allegedly implicated himself in the robberies in Des Plaines. He gave specific information about each of the cases that occurred in Des Plaines that only the offender would know, said police. In the Dunkin Donuts case, Jaworowski is believed to have entered the store and displayed a small black handgun. He allegedly demanded money, but fled without any proceeds after the cashier left the counter without opening the register. In the Aldi's robbery, police said Jaworowski entered the store at about 8 p.m. just before closing. He approached the cashier with an item he brought up to the register. The cashier went to ring up the item and at that point Jaworowski demanded the money from the register. The cashier complied with the demand and the suspect left the store on foot entering a green mini-van that was parked outside. He fled westbound on Forest Avenue, said reports. Jaworoswki is charged with one count of aggravated robbery in the Antioch case. He will also be charged in numerous Cook County cases involving stores in Des Plaines, Arlington Hts., Prospect Hts., Wheeling, Palatine and Winnetka.