Couple implicated in numerous cases in District 19
By Jim Sterne
News Editor
Police arrested Frank Lewis, 24, and his wife, Tauna Butler, 27, both of the 800 block of W. Sunnyside Ave., on Jan. 5 for an armed robbery that occurred a few days earlier. Lewis was singled out by a victim who identified Lewis from a photo array. The investigation led to at least six robberies in which a male and a female were perpetrators; Lewis and Butler matched the descriptions of the offenders.
One apparently related robbery with a handgun occurred in the 2500 block of N. Lincoln Ave. on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 10:15 p.m. The victims were a male and female in their mid 20s.
The male offender pointed a small blue handgun at the victims. “Give me your wallet and purse,” he said. The victims complied, losing $60, credit cards, and IDs.
A little over an hour later, an attempted robbery with a handgun occurred on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 11:30 p.m. in the 3400 block of N. Wolcott Ave. The victims were a couple in their mid 20s. Again, the offenders were a black couple.
The victims left their residence and saw the female offender who appeared to be waiting for someone. As they passed her she said, “Where is he?” Just as they passed her the male offender appeared and put a blue steel pistol to the head of the male victim. “Where’s the money?” he asked. The victims said they didn’t have any money. “Don’t BS me,” the offender said.
The victim gave the offender a traveler’s check. The offender looked at the check and returned it to the victim. The victims were told to continue walking on Wolcott Ave. When they reached Addison St. they flagged a beat car and reported the event.
Police displayed a photo array of suspects to the victims. Lewis was selected as a possible candidate.
The next day, Jan. 5, police officers Pappas and Thomas of Beat 1942, and officers Liedtke and Pappone of Beat 1953, went to the Summerdale Ave. residence of the alleged offender. Butler opened the door. She matched the description of the female offender in the armed robberies. The responding officers detained Butler and brought her to District 19 for questioning.
The responding officers returned to the residence and set up surveillance with police reinforcements from District 23. Lewis arrived but when he saw the police closing in on him, he ran. A foot chase ensued. Officers Garland and Herrera, of Beat 2311, apprehended Lewis, who was taken to District 19 for processing.
Police learned that a 48 year old male was a possible suspect as the get-away car driver. The suspect was brought into District 19 for investigation by Officers Kramp and Precht of Beat 1904. |
Printable Version