Police: Carpentersville robbery suspect fatally shot by store employee

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- An employee fatally shot an armed robbery suspect after he and another person held up a computer store in northwest suburban Carpentersville, police said.

Police responded to a report of an armed robbery around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Oscarin's Computer Store in the 1600-block of Ravine Lane.

Oscar Torres, the owner of the store, was inside his business with the store manager when police say two men armed with guns walked in and demanded cash.

"They were asking all the time for the money. Where is the money," said Torres.

Investigators say the robbers restrained Torres and the store manager with zip ties while they searched the store for money. When they freed themselves, Torres says one robber hit the store manager in the head with a pistol.

"They say don't move or we will kill you," said Torres.

Torres says the robbers ran out of the store toward a third man waiting in a getaway car.

Torres says his employee then grabbed a gun and fired shots at the men in the parking lot after they showed their guns.

"He says to the guys, 'Hey stop.' When he says, 'Stop.' those guys tried to take the guns and my guy opened fire," said Torres.

The injured employee managed to grab a gun, ran out into the parking lot after them and fired several shots, police said. Investigators have not yet determined how many times the employee fired.

"The store employee who did engage at least one of the robbery suspects in gunfire is cooperating with our investigation," said Carpentersville Police Chief Michael Kilbourne.

One of the suspects was struck several times, police said. The fire department transported him to the hospital, where he later died. Authorities have not released the suspect's identity. An autopsy will be performed by the Kane County Coroner's Office.

The other suspect got away in a vehicle driven by a third suspect, police said.

Police are reviewing surveillance video and say they are looking for two robbery suspects, including the getaway driver.

Torres says the men got away with $15,000 and six phones.

Oscarin's Computer did not open for business Thursday. The flashing "open" sign was covered by bilingual signs that say the store will be closed until the weekend.