COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A parolee went on a fast-food robbery spree this week, hitting up four different chains in less than 24 hours, authorities said.
Alex Drew, 32, pretended he had a gun when he robbed a McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts and White Castle on Tuesday, according to prosecutors. He also tried to rob a Subway, but didn't have any luck, they said.
Drew recently was paroled after serving time for eight robberies, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said. He was sentenced to 15 years in 2007 and released last November.
The most recent spree kicked off about 2:40 a.m. Tuesday when Drew walked into a Brighton Park Dunkin' Donuts at 4701 S. Kedzie Ave. and said "he would blow the [cashier's] f------ head off" if she didn't give him cash, Scaduto said.
Drew pointed his hand through the pocket of his hoodie to suggest he had a gun, prosecutors said. According to court records, he made off with $256.
About 8:20 a.m., Drew headed to a McDonald's at 1454 W. 47th St. and told an employee to "give me all the money or I'll blast your a--," Scaduto said.
Drew again pretended to have a gun and took $521 cash, according to court records.
The next stop was a Subway at 7949 S. Cicero Ave., Scaduto said. Drew demanded money about 9:40 a.m., but didn't get anything. Authorities didn't say why he wasn't successful.
Just before 10 p.m., Drew walked into a White Castle at 7912 S. Pulaski Road, pointed his hand through his hoodie and announced a robbery.
When a clerk asked if he was serious, Drew said "hell yeah" before jumping over the counter, Scaduto said.
According to court records, Drew took $401 from the register and left.
White Castle employees told police the robber had been driving a small red car with a missing rear bumper, court records show. Officers spotted the car 15 minutes later in the 2400 block of West 71st Street.
When police arrested Drew, he told them he'd been smoking weed and crack and ran out of money, Scaduto said.
Drew was charged with aggravated robbery while indicating a firearm and attempted aggravated robbery while indicating a firearm.
Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois ordered him held without bail.
"Mr. Drew is a dangerous individual," Bourgeois said, "terrorizing people, hopping over counters."
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