Jewelry Store Robbers Wore Slenderman, 'Uncle Bobby' Masks: FBI
BRIDGEVIEW, IL — Four masked men believed to have robbed two Bridgeview jewelry stores are now suspects in a violent armed robbery spree of similar businesses spanning three states. The FBI-Chicago Field Office and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul are asking for the public’s help in identifying the quartet.
The robberies occurred at four jewelry stores in Illinois, Michigan and Missouri between July 2023 and September 2024.
One alleged crew member, Emad Elayyan, 31, of Chicago Ridge, who is believed to have taken part in the pair of Bridgeview jewelry store robberies, was arrested in the 16400 block of South Major Avenue in September. He was charged with two class X felony charges of armed robbery with a firearm. Officials say Elayyan’s accomplices remain at large.
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The first robbery occurred July 23, 2023, when three armed robbers burst into Jawahir Jewelry store, 8454 S. Harlem Ave. in Bridgeview and stole gold jewelry from display cases, smashing the glass with an employee’s handgun, the FBI said. The crew was seen driving a white Kia Sorento with stolen license plates.
The purported robbers are believed to have struck again Jan. 9 at Jerusalem Jewelry, 9070 S. Harlem Ave. The FBI said three armed men stole gold jewelry from display cases. The suspects were seen driving the same Kia Sorento, this time with different plates.
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The FBI said the same group pulled off similar heists in Dearborn, Mich., on Aug. 7, and in Winchester, Mo. on Sept. 14.
A suspect wearing an Uncle Bobby mask is seen outside Jawahir Jewelry Store
The suspects disguised themselves by wearing an “Uncle Bobby”-style mask with dark, disheveled hair, exaggerated mustache, and round, full cheeks or a Slenderman-style mask. The masks are popular at well-known, seasonal big box Halloween stores.
In the Jawahir robbery, a man wearing a rubber “Uncle Bobby” mask, described as a “friendly, male character,” leaping over the counter on security video. During these attacks, the FBI said employees were alternately held hostage by a gunman with an assault rifle and/or threatened with a hammer.
On at least one occasion, a suspect appears to be wearing “Yeezy”-style shoes and a Coach brand duffel bag is used to collect the jewelry.
The FBI has upped the reward to $15,000 for information leading directly to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.
Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities at the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or visiting tips.fbi.gov. Tips may also be reported anonymously.
“We remain grateful to our local law enforcement partners, the media, and the public as they aid us in this effort,” the FBI said in a statement.
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