CHICAGO – A man provisionally released on a stolen vehicle case will spend more of his time behind bars as prosecutors accuse him of robbing four people at gunpoint in 90 minutes.
Manuel Gomez, 21, was arrested on charges in the robberies as he left court this week after a hearing in the stolen vehicle case.
Chicago police and prosecutors say he and an unnamed accomplice robbed four people in separate robberies around 5:25 a.m. on Oct. 10, starting in the 3500 block of North Hamlin. During that robbery, the accomplice held a gun to the eyes of a 24-year-old man. head while Gomez took two phones, cash and a flashlight from the victim, according to the charges.
The duo robbed three more people by following the same script, officials said.
- A 33-year-old man was robbed of a phone and tablet at 6:44 a.m. in the 6800 block of West Diversey.
- A 39-year-old woman was robbed of a phone and backpack around 6:45 a.m. in the 2700 block of North Mont Clare
- A 45-year-old man was robbed of his wallet around 7 a.m. in the 2100 block of North Latrobe
Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman held Gomez on a robbery charge, saying he had “preyed on citizens just going about their day.” She also noted that he and the accomplice used a stolen car during the robbery.
Gomez has been on parole since early July for possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Chicago police said they caught him on July 2 driving a stolen scooter with no license plates and a peeling steering column in the 4400 block of West Armitage. The scooter’s owner reported that she parked it around 8:15 p.m. on July 1 and it disappeared. next morning.
Court records show Gomez entered into a deferred prosecution agreement in the stolen vehicle case on Oct. 16, just six days after he allegedly committed the robberies. That agreement is now in jeopardy.
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