Manuel Gomez Accused of Robbing Four People at Gunpoint
A man previously on pretrial release for a stolen vehicle case is facing additional time behind bars after being accused of robbing four individuals at gunpoint within a span of 90 minutes.
21-year-old Manuel Gomez was apprehended following a court hearing for the stolen vehicle case, where he now faces charges related to the armed robberies.
According to Chicago police and prosecutors, Gomez and an accomplice committed the robberies in different locations, starting in the 3500 block of North Hamlin at around 5:25 a.m. on October 10. During the first incident, the accomplice allegedly held a gun to a 24-year-old man’s head while Gomez stole phones, cash, and a flashlight from the victim.
The pair went on to rob three more individuals using a similar modus operandi:
- A 33-year-old man was robbed of a phone and tablet at 6:44 a.m. in the 6800 block of West Diversey.
- A 39-year-old woman was robbed of a phone and backpack in the 2700 block of North Mont Clare around 6:45 a.m.
- A 45-year-old man was robbed of his wallet in the 2100 block of North Latrobe around 7 a.m.
Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman ordered Gomez to be detained on the robbery charges, noting that he targeted innocent citizens going about their daily lives. She also highlighted that a stolen car was used during the robbery spree.
Prior to these incidents, Gomez had been on pretrial release for possessing a stolen motor vehicle since July. Authorities arrested him on July 2 for riding a stolen scooter with no license plates and a tampered steering column in the 4400 block of West Armitage. The scooter’s owner reported it missing after parking it the night before.
Court records show that Gomez entered a deferred prosecution agreement in the stolen vehicle case on October 16, just days after the robberies took place. This agreement is now at risk due to the new charges.
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