Police: Joliet robbery victim was really ringleader

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Updated: March 18, 2012 8:21AM

JOLIET — Police say a security guard who appeared to be one of the victims of a November robbery in Carson Pirie Scott at Westfield Louis Joliet mall turned out to be “the ringleader.”

Jose L. Mejia, 23, of 2915 Sierra Ave., and Christian G. Ibarra, 19, and Norma Ibarra, 22, both of 2417 Byrum Blvd., were arrested Wednesday night on charges of armed robbery and aggravated unlawful restraint.

On Nov. 11, a manager was attempting to set the alarm as the store closed for the night, but found the roof hatch wasn’t making contact.

“There has been work on the roof, so she thought a workman may have forgotten to close it and Mejia, a security guard who was still in the store, volunteered to go upstairs and take care of it,” Cmdr. Brian Benton said.

The manager headed upstairs to see what was taking so long, but a man masked with a bandana and carrying a gun walked down the turned-off escalator.

The gunman, who police say is Christian Ibarra, forced the woman back to the upstairs office where Mejia had been bound with duct tape.

The safe open, and more than $10,000 was taken.

The manager was also tied up, but she and Mejia were able to get free when the robber left.

Detective John Ross was able to corroborate information police were given earlier this week, Benton said, leading to the arrests.

“Norma Ibarra was involved in the planning of the robbery and detectives went to her residence (Thursday) night, and she came to the station voluntarily,” Benton said.

Both Ibarras reportedly confessed to participating in the robbery, while Mejia declined to answer questions.

Benton said a .40-caliber handgun was seized from the Ibarras’ residence following their arrest.