A man was ordered held on a $350,000 bond after prosecutors say he punched a female employee in the face, knocking her tooth out, during an attempted robbery at an ice cream shop in Grayslake.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Dino Katris said during a bond hearing Wednesday that two female employees were closing up The Freeze in Grayslake on April 3.
They got into a vehicle when Samuel P. Gil, 29, of Grayslake, and Joshua D. Adams, 26, of Hainesville, allegedly approached their car.
Gil and Adams banged on the car and demanded money, Katris said.
Gil struck the young female victim in the face, knocking out her tooth and requiring her to get treatment at a medical center, Katris said.
Gil and Adams ran away from the scene but were later identified through surveillance video and a photo lineup.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak said Grayslake police detectives, who appeared in court to obtain an arrest warrant, reported to him that Gil struck the victim numerous times.
The victim, who did not have any cash on her person, offered to go back into the ice cream shop and give the suspects money from the business.
Gil was charged with attempted robbery, vehicular invasion and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, which are all felonies.
An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for Gil and he was taken into custody without incident by police detectives.
Potkonjak ordered Gil held on a $350,000 bond, which was set when the warrant was issued.
“The health and well-being of these employees comes before anything,” The Freeze said on social media after the incident.
“These two employees are like extended family to us and it pains me that this happened. We are across the street from the Fire Dept and like two to three blocks from the police station,” the business owner said.
The owner said he was devasted but will “continue to strive to create the best customer and employee environment.”
He said that customers may notice some changes in response to the incident.
Adams, the second suspect involved, was charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. He was released from custody on a personal recognizance bond.
Gil was transported to the Lake County Jail after his arrest and remains held. He would need to post $35,000 cash to be released.