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Cops nab pair suspected in dozen robberies of 'ma and pa' stores
January 18, 2009
BY STEFANO ESPOSITO Staff Reporter sesposito@suntimes.com
Two men suspected in a dozen or more robberies of "ma and pa" stores on the West and Northwest sides were caught in the act Thursday, police said.
"These two guys were dangerous offenders, and we were able to bring them in without a shot being fired and without anyone being hurt," Chicago Police Sgt. Max Guajardo told reporters at Area 5 headquarters Saturday.
Rasaan Smith, 31, of the 5800 block of West Lake, and Antonio Sercye, 35, of Riverside, were charged with armed robbery, police said.
Sercye is a high-ranking member of the Mafia Insane Vice Lords gang and goes by the nickname "Binky," a source said.
Police said the two men had been under surveillance for about two weeks when investigators arrested them Thursday in the 5800 block of West North Avenue. Police said the arrest came moments after Smith robbed a small food store in the area.
The robberies all followed a similar pattern, police said. The robbers brandished handguns and made off with small amounts of cash, usually not more than $600, police said.
Guajardo described Smith and Sercye as robbers with "street smarts."
"They would shake off tails time and time again," Guajardo said. "It was really hard to follow these guys. They were really good at what they were doing. Luckily, we were a little better."
Both men have made statements to investigators, Guajardo said.
Contributing: Annie Sweeney