Forest Park police arrested a Homer Glen man yesterday who allegedly stumbled into the Forest Park Walmart, bleeding from his legs, and shortly thereafter snatched money from an open cash register around 9:00 a.m.
Jeffrey R. Wilson, 22, who later allegedly described himself as “drug sick” and “confused” was described by the greeter to police as “sickly looking and bleeding” when he stumbled into the store. After asking for tissue to attend his bleeding leg scabs, he was advised by store personnel to go into the bathroom, according to reports.
Police said he exited the bathroom, lunged past a cashier with an open register drawer and grabbed a fistful of cash before attempting to flee.
A male shopper, who police say was smaller than Wilson, observed him in the men’s room and noticed his odd behavior. The man told police he saw Wilson exit the men’s room, grab cash with both hands and walk fast towards the exit doors where the bystander was standing. The bystander told police he pushed his cart in front of Wilson to stop him down and then tackled him in the vestibule of the store to keep him from leaving the scene in hopes security or police would get there in time, he said. Wilson allegedly told him “You don’t know why I’m doing this. I need money for my dad.”
Wilson allegedly struggled free and fled in a 2004 Chevy Avalanche, which was pulled over by Forest Park Police near Roosevelt Rd. and East Ave. Police recovered $200 in cash from his truck. At the station, Wilson allegedly told police he was looking for heroin money. He was charged with felony robbery.
