A Monday night robbery at the Schnucks on Godfrey Road turned tense when a 30-year-old man allegedly threatened to blow the place up if he did not get cash, according to deputies. Investigators say the suspect demanded money near the self-checkout, claimed he had an explosive and then took off in a silver or tan GMC. A sweep of the store later turned up no explosive devices. The suspect, identified as Kareem J. Hamilton, remains in custody after charges were filed Tuesday.
How Officers Tracked Him Down
According to RiverBender, the robbery was reported around 7:05 p.m., when a man approached an employee at the self-checkout, demanded money and began a verbal countdown as if he were about to detonate an explosive. Because the store sits right on the border with the city of Alton, the Alton Police Department was quickly alerted. Within moments, Alton Police Patrol Sgt. Michael Morelli spotted the suspect’s truck on Pearl Street. Officers stopped the vehicle near Bozza Street and Washington Avenue, where the suspect allegedly ran off before being caught after a short foot chase.
Evidence and Charges Presented
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said investigators later recovered evidence linking the person in custody to the Schnucks robbery and confirmed that no explosives were found at the store, according to a post on Facebook. The case went to the Madison County State’s Attorney on Tuesday, and prosecutors charged 30-year-old Kareem J. Hamilton with making a terrorist threat (Class X felony), aggravated robbery (Class 1 felony) and aggravated battery (Class 3 felony). Hamilton is being held in Madison County Sheriff’s Office custody pending further court proceedings.
Legal Implications
Those felonies come with serious time under Illinois law: a Class X felony can carry six to 30 years in prison, a Class 1 felony four to 15 years and a Class 3 felony two to five years, according to the Illinois Unified Code of Corrections. Actual sentencing would depend on prior convictions and other factors, with any enhancements to be decided by the courts during prosecution.
What Officials Said and What’s Next
Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido credited fast teamwork between the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Alton police for the quick arrest, saying the coordination helped get Hamilton into custody soon after the incident, according to RiverBender. The Madison County State’s Attorney will continue to review the evidence and determine the next steps in the case. As with any criminal case, Hamilton is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
