Police have identified a second suspect and are searching for him after multiple suspects followed an elderly couple, who won $130,000 at a casino, to their Fox Lake home and robbed them at gunpoint.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis said Marcel L. Britton, 27, of Chicago, and a second male suspect saw an opportunity on February 10, 2024, to steal more money than what most people make in a year.
The two and a female accomplice noticed a couple go on an “extremely large winning streak” at the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Theis said.
The couple, who are approximately 70 years old, left the casino with $130,000 and the suspects followed them to their home in Fox Lake, Theis said.
At the residence, which is located near Grace Avenue and Rolland Place in Fox Lake, the suspects pointed a gun at the couple’s faces, Theis said.
One of them grabbed a bag from the man’s hands and pushed him to the ground when he tried grabbing it back.
Theis said that “unfortunately for the defendants,” the victim had placed her winnings in her walker before walking to the entrance of her home.
“The defendants made off with her leftover steak and lobster as opposed to the $130,000,” Theis said.
The suspects fled the scene quickly. Theis said the couple ran to the lobby of their building because they were afraid the suspects would realize they had stolen their food instead of their winnings.
A neighbor witnessed most of the attack and came to the couple’s aid.
Investigators learned that Britton and the second suspect had entered the casino and provided their government-issued identification cards to get inside, Theis said.
The suspects were seen on surveillance video arriving in a bronze Genesis SUV and later speaking with a short female accomplice, who was seen speaking to the elderly victims throughout the night.
Theis said one of the suspects was seen on video pointing at the elderly couple while smiling and rubbing his hands together.
The two victims were escorted to their vehicle by security and the suspects were also seen exiting the casino.
The suspect vehicle followed the victim’s vehicle out of the parking lot and then the entire way to Fox Lake, according to video surveillance, red light cameras and automated license plate reader cameras.
Attorneys representing Britton said their client does not match the description of the suspects involved. They also said their client has significant money due to a prior, recent legal settlement.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted a petition filed by prosecutors to detain Britton pending trial after finding the man “inherently dangerous” with no conditions of release possible to ensure community safety.
The judge said the three suspects preyed on two over 70-year-old victims, one of which uses a walker. “I guess in their own way, outsmarted the bad guys,” Potkonjak said.
The second male suspect involved was identified by police as Aramie Kent, 34, of Maywood.
Arrest warrants were issued for Britton and Kent on August 19. Both were charged with armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated robbery and robbery of a victim over 60.
The Chicago Police Department arrested Britton late last month. Officers are still searching for Kent.
The Fox Lake Police Department said that anyone with information on the location of Kent is asked to contact their local police department.
Charges have not been announced against the female subject in the case but she has been identified.