Overview
- Detectives say they have identified a person of interest seen in the video and are now trying to find him.
- The owner was robbed at gunpoint inside Arepa Express on May 12 in Melrose Park, with surveillance video showing the assailant cock a handgun and point it at him.
- The suspect first ate at the restaurant, paid by credit card, left, and twice returned asking to use the restroom before calling the owner over and demanding jewelry.
- About $10,000 in jewelry was taken, including an 18-karat Gucci chain, a bracelet, and the owner’s Venezuelan law school ring, and a customer called 911 after the thief fled.
- Police report no arrests and say the person of interest is believed to live nearby, and the owner is appealing for tips to help identify the suspect and recover the ring.