COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A parolee accused of robbing three stores within four blocks of his home was arrested this week after one of the victims saw him walking down the street, prosecutors said.
Levelle Smith, 43, is accused of robbing at gunpoint three Gage Park restaurants and shops along 59th Street.
According to prosecutors, the first incident happened Nov. 14 when Smith and an unknown accomplice walked into Vallarta, a Mexican restaurant at 2757 W. 59th St.
Employees told Smith and the accomplice the restaurant was closed, and Smith pulled a gun and demanded cash, Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti said during a bond hearing Tuesday. The pair allegedly made off with $100 cash.
On Dec. 6, Smith entered Castillo's Supermarket, 2732 W. 59th St., wearing a hoodie and black skull cap, court records show. He pulled a gun and demanded cash, and was able to steal $600, prosecutors said. A surveillance camera captured the incident.
Two weeks later, on Sunday, Smith targeted Supermercado Sanchez, 2824 W. 59th St., according to police and prosecutors. There, he allegedly stole cash from the register while carrying a gun. Smith was again wearing a hoodie and black skull cap, and the incident was caught on surveillance camera.
Later that day, one of the victims spotted Smith walking along 59th Street, Antonietti said.
The victim called 911, and police found Smith "walking rapidly" on the same street, the arrest report said. He was arrested about 2:50 p.m. Sunday.
Three different witnesses positively identified Smith in photo arrays, Antonietti said.
Smith, who lives about three to four blocks from the robbery sites in the 5900 block of South Talman Avenue, is charged with five counts of armed robbery with a gun, a Class X felony.
Smith has previously been convicted of two Class X armed robberies, Antonietti said. That means: If he's convicted on even one new Class X armed robbery count, the mandatory sentence will be natural life in prison.
Cook County Judge Laura Sullivan on Tuesday ordered Smith held without bail.
Smith is currently on parole for possession of a controlled substance, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Previous convictions include armed robbery, robbery, theft, damage to government property and drug possession.
Smith's public defender said Smith lives with his wife and has one child.
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