Man Accused of Pointing Gun at 13-Year-Old During Robbery Arrested

A man on parole for armed robbery is now facing charges for allegedly pointing a gun at a 13-year-old’s head and threatening to shoot the child during a convenience store holdup in the Clearing neighborhood.

Adam Butts, 37, was recently arrested and charged in connection with the December 28, 2024, robbery of a 7-Eleven store at 6754 West 63rd Street. Surveillance cameras captured the robbery, according to prosecutors.

During the incident, Butts reportedly entered the store, approached the counter, and pressed the gun to the 13-year-old’s head while demanding cash from the register. He allegedly threatened the cashier, saying, “If you don’t give me the money, I’ll shoot!”

Fearing for the child’s safety, the cashier complied and handed over cash before Butts fled the scene, as per the allegations.

Investigators utilized surveillance footage from various cameras to track the movements of the suspect. The video reportedly showed Butts arriving in a vehicle registered in his name before the robbery and leaving in the same vehicle afterward.

Furthermore, detectives examined cell phone location data that allegedly placed Butts in the vicinity at the time of the robbery.

State records from the Illinois Department of Corrections revealed that Butts was paroled in December 2023 after serving time for various crimes in Peoria County dating back to 2010. These offenses included attempted vehicular hijacking, felon in possession of a firearm, and armed robbery.

Judge Luciano Panici Jr. ordered Butts to be detained pending trial on a charge of armed robbery. His criminal record extends back even further, with convictions for felon in possession of a firearm in 2009 and robbery of a victim older than 60 in 2006.

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