Waukegan man charged in string of robberies, burglaries

WAUKEGAN, Ill. -- A Waukegan man has been charged in four robberies and burglaries that happened in the north suburb in the last week.

Ainsley A. Ball, 27, was charged with residential burglary, two counts of aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and driving with a suspended license, according to a statement from Waukegan police.

Ball first burglarized a home in the 1900 block of 10th Street on Aug. 22, police said.

Three days later, he robbed a Thornton's gas station in the 2200 block of North Green Bay Road with a BB gun about 1:30 a.m. Aug. 25, police said. He got away with cash.

About 12:20 p.m. the same day, he tried to rob the Citgo station in the 1500 block of Glen Rock Avenue with a BB gun, police said. He did not get away with any money.

About 1:40 p.m. the same day, he robbed the Waukegan Fruit Market in the 900 block of South Lewis Avenue, police said. He was seen driving away from the area and after a pursuit, was taken into custody.

Ball, of the 500 block of Douglas Avenue in Waukegan, was ordered held at the Lake County Jail on a $300,000 bond, police said. He is next scheduled to appear in court Sept. 17.