A suburban Chicago man is facing a federal robbery charge after prosecutors say a planned cocaine buy in Ford Heights turned into a violent ambush on an undercover FBI task force officer. Authorities allege the man and a juvenile struck the officer with a firearm, stole $10,000 in government funds set aside for the deal, and then slammed into a responding squad car while trying to escape.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed April 9, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois say 23-year-old Marcus Lewis arranged to meet the undercover officer on April 3 at a Ford Heights residence for what was supposed to be a cocaine purchase. Instead, the complaint alleges, Lewis and the juvenile attacked, beating the officer with a firearm and grabbing the $10,000 in government buy money before bolting.
FOX 32 Chicago reports the escape did not last long. The pair’s vehicle crashed into a police car as officers moved in, and the juvenile was arrested at the scene, according to the station. Lewis allegedly ran off on foot but was taken into custody early the next morning. He has been charged with one count of robbery and ordered to stay behind bars while the case moves forward.
Officials respond
In announcing the charge, U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros signaled the government plans to come down hard. “The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office will seek to hold this violent offender accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Boutros said in a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois. FBI Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta added that there would be “no safe haven or amnesty” for anyone who harms personnel working to protect the public.
Arrest, charges and next steps
According to FOX 32 Chicago, Lewis waived a detention hearing and was ordered to remain jailed pending trial, with a preliminary hearing set for April 15 before a U.S. magistrate judge. The juvenile is expected to face state charges, and officials say the Cook County Sheriff’s Office assisted the FBI in the investigation.
