Fairbury, IL – Two men from northern Illinois were arrested after an armed robbery at a gas station in Forrest led to a high-speed chase through Dwight on Friday evening, September 19.
According to the Fairbury Police Department, officers were dispatched around 7:30 p.m. to a report of a robbery at Casey’s Gas Station. The victim told dispatchers that three men allegedly robbed him at gunpoint in the parking lot, battered him, and stole his belongings before fleeing in a vehicle.
Police said the suspects were believed to be traveling north on Route 47. A cooperative response involving multiple agencies led officers to spot the suspect vehicle near Dwight. When a traffic stop was attempted, the suspects allegedly fled at high speed. After a pursuit, assisting agencies disabled the vehicle and took three suspects into custody without further incident.
Authorities identified two of the suspects as Emilio I. Hernandez, 18, of Dekalb, IL, and Aron Franco, 20, of Sycamore, IL. Both face Class 1 felony charges of aggravated robbery, while Hernandez also faces a Class 4 felony charge of aggravated fleeing and eluding. A third suspect, a juvenile, was also arrested.
The suspects are being held at the Livingston County Jail pending court proceedings. Police noted all individuals are innocent until proven guilty in court.
Fairbury Police are asking residents in the Forrest area to review home surveillance footage from September 19 and report any sightings of the suspect vehicle. Investigators also believe a firearm may have been discarded nearby.
Agencies assisting included the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, Dwight Police Department, Pontiac Police K9 Unit, SELCAS Ambulance, Forrest Fire, VCOM, Grundy County Sheriff’s Department, and the Livingston County State’s Attorney’s Office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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