Armed robbers tie up Skokie store owner, also ransack his home

SKOKIE, Ill. (WLS) -- Three armed robbers took over a northwest suburban Skokie store, tying up the 82-year-old owner and his 56-year-old secretary and robbing the store before taking the owner's keys and ransacking his home.

Police said the men were armed with cutting instruments, and wearing baseball caps and sunglasses.

Police tape surrounds Troost Memorials Friday afternoon after the terrifying experience. The crime happened on a busy street during the day.

"I am blown away because in broad daylight," said John, a nearby business owner.

Skokie police said three men forced the owner and his employee into a back room and tied them up using duct tape. Investigators said it is unclear what the thieves stole from the business, but the men did take the owner's personal keys and then ransacked his home nearby.

"That never happened here before. This is something that we were all surprised and, tell you the truth, scared," said Dr. Gregory Turowski, nearby business owner.

The owner and his secretary managed to free themselves after 20 minutes and called police.

"She described it as being very traumatic," John said.

"He looked a little disheveled but generally good shape. He didn't look like he had a lot of injuries, but definitely was scared like everybody would be in that situation," said Turowski.

Police said the victims are not injured. The