Pair charged in gas station robbery
By BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@stmedianetwork.com June 20, 2012 3:46PM
Updated: July 23, 2012 7:20AM
JOLIET — Police say two robbers bickered over the cash they grabbed from a gas station before their arrest Wednesday.
Chief Mike Trafton said the caper began at 1:39 a.m. when Jeffrey E. Burns, 46, walked into Marathon Gas, 928 W. Jefferson St.
“He demanded money from the register and implied he had a weapon. Burns walked out to a car driven by James L. Adridge, 42, and a witness said they were arguing over the money and dropping some before they left,” Trafton said.
Police were given descriptions of Burns and the vehicle, which was reportedly spotted a few minutes later near Fourth Avenue and Chicago Street. The getaway car headed downtown before being pulled over at Washington and Joliet streets ... in front of the police station.
“As officers approached Burns was wearing a white tank top that had a large amount of currency stuffed down the front,” Trafton said.
Police reportedly found over $500 in Burns’ shirt and the car, but no weapons. Burns, of 339 N. Seventh Avenue, and Aldridge, of 1100 S. Hadden Road in Mazon, were booked into the county jail on charges of aggravated robbery.
The Department of Corrections reports Burns was paroled in February 2011 from a six-year-sentence for aggravated battery. He was also serving time for driving under the influence of alcohol and has eight previous convictions for robbery and attempted robbery.
Aldridge previously has been arrested for battery in Grundy County.
