Suburban man helped cop killer rob dollar store, prosecutors say

A suburban man, Jeron Tate, of Maywood, has been charged with aiding Alphonso Talley in a violent robbery at a dollar store in Albany Park. The incident took place last Saturday morning, just before Talley went on to commit a heinous crime by killing a Chicago police officer and critically injuring another officer.

Tate was apprehended by a U.S. Marshals Task Force on Thursday in the 7500 block of South Carpenter Street in Chicago. He is set to appear in court for a detention hearing on Friday afternoon.

According to prosecutors, Tate and Talley entered the Family Dollar store on West Lawrence Avenue at 8:01 a.m. on Saturday. They were dressed in black jackets, sweatshirts, and face masks. The cashier, a 55-year-old woman, asked Tate to leave his backpack at the front of the store as per store policy. It was at this moment that Talley brandished a handgun, forcing the woman into a back office and assaulting her.

While Talley held the woman at gunpoint, Tate attempted to open the cash register and safe. When the woman informed them that she did not have access, Talley proceeded to march her around the store at gunpoint. The robbers went through her purse, taking her wallet and car keys.

Prosecutors revealed that Talley struck the woman multiple times with the gun, breaking her nose and causing her to bleed. They managed to steal $110 before fleeing the scene on Lime scooters rented under Talley’s name.

After the robbers left, the woman activated the store’s panic button and sought help from a customer to contact the police. Descriptions of the suspects led Chicago police officers to Talley’s location on North Troy Street, where he was apprehended. However, Tate managed to evade capture.

Tate faces charges of armed robbery, aggravated armed kidnapping, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and aggravated unlawful restraint. Evidence found near Talley included the cashier’s wallet in a garbage can, bloodstained cash in his pocket, and blood on his clothing.

The cashier was hospitalized for a broken nose and two black eyes, requiring further treatment. Talley claimed to have ingested drugs, prompting officers to take him to a hospital for an X-ray. During this time, he allegedly grabbed a hidden firearm and shot Officer John Bartholomew in the head, subsequently injuring another officer.

Following a manhunt, Talley was found hiding under a porch with a handgun and was arrested. He faces a litany of charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, armed kidnapping, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

This harrowing series of events underscores the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the public in confronting violent criminals. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.