Dieter M. Bierwirth, 53, of Crystal Lake.

A man who allegedly held a knife to a gas station clerk’s neck during an armed robbery in Crystal Lake was arrested after he came back to the business later the same day, police said.

Dieter M. Bierwirth, 53, of Crystal Lake, was charged with armed robbery, commercial burglary, theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

The Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 1:05 a.m. Sunday to the Marathon gas station, 770 South Virginia Road, for a report of an armed robbery.

Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski said that a male wearing a medical mask and hooded jacket entered the business.

The man, later identified as Bierwirth, pulled out a large knife while demanding money from the clerk.

The Marathon gas station located at 770 South Virginia Road in Crystal Lake was robbed Sunday morning, police said. | Photo: Google Street View.

Bierwirth put the knife near the clerkโ€™s neck and threatened him with harm, Kotlowski said.

The man forcefully removed a cash drawer containing an undisclosed amount of money and fled the business on foot. No injuries were reported.

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Officers were again called to the gas station around 1:30 p.m. Sunday after the clerk recognized a customer who had entered as being the robbery suspect.

Bierwirth was quickly located by police officers after fleeing the business on foot. Detectives responded to the scene and were able to determine Bierwirth was involved in the armed robbery.

A search warrant was issued for Bierwirth’s residence and detectives recovered evidence linking the man to the robbery.

Bierwirth was transported to the McHenry County jail where he remains held pending a bond hearing.