A 15-year-old boy has been arrested after he allegedly robbed a man at gunpoint during a meetup for the sale of shoes near Lake Villa, police said.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said an 18-year-old man from Round Lake Beach was selling a new pair of shoes.
He spoke on Snapchat to a 15-year-old boy that he previously sold shoes regarding the sale of another pair of shoes.
The juvenile agreed to purchase the Air Jordan shoes and meet up with the 18-year-old man on July 6.
They agreed to meet in the 37000 block of North Parama Avenue in unincorporated Lake Villa.
When the victim arrived, the juvenile approached the victim and the victim showed the juvenile the shoes.
The 15-year-old boy then pulled a gun and stole the shoes, along with two other pairs of shoes.
The juvenile then fled on foot from the scene and the victim reported the incident.
Lake County sheriff’s detectives conducted extensive follow-up and were able to positively identify the offender.
Detectives obtained a warrant for the 15-year-old boy’s arrest last Tuesday after identifying him.
The juvenile was arrested the same day in the 37300 block of North Capillo Avenue in unincorporated Lake Villa.
“This serves as a cautionary tale of meeting people you don’t know on social media, to sell or buy products,” Covelli said in a warning to the public.
“If doing this, it is beneficial to meet a police department to conduct the transaction,” he said.