Man Arrested In Best Buy Parking Lot Robbery

Burbank police say a Chicago man is behind bars on charges related to a strong-arm robbery which took place at Best Buy, 7600 S. Cicero Ave., Saturday afternoon.

Police were dispatched about 3 p.m., Feb. 14, to Best Buy after a woman reported being robbed in the parking lot. The victim told officers that two men approached her as she entered her vehicle.

According to police, one of the men opened the victim’s car door and said, “This is a robbery, give me you [sic] stuff.” The suspect then grabbed the woman's purse and reached into her pocket and took her cell phone as well.

The woman was not injured and provided police with a description of the suspects and the vehicle they fled in; a gray Ford Windstar minivan. Most importantly, she was able to provide a partial license plate number which ultimately led to a suspect.

Burbank Division Chief Mike Dudlo said, “Officers broadcast this information to area departments. A dispatcher from the Alsip Police Department discovered a plate and vehicle which matched the description of the offending vehicle and forwarded it to our department.”

Based on this information, Burbank officers identified a suspect. Through a photo array, the victim was able to identify the man who took her purse and phone.

“The victim made a positive identification of the offender,” Dudlo said. “This information was then given to the Chicago Police Department who assisted in locating the offender.”

The suspect was identified as Timothy McDowell, 24, of the 6500 block of South Damen Avenue, Chicago. McDowell was apprehended at his residence by Chicago police and transported to the Burbank police station where a Cook County state’s attorney approved charges of felony robbery and unlawful vehicular invasion.

“There is no further information on the accomplice but the offender in custody was identified by the victim as the main offender,” Dudlo said.

According to police, McDowell is currently on parole for other charges. He appeared Monday in bond court where a judge set his bail at $300,000. He is currently in custody at Cook County Jail.

Dudlo attributed the quick arrest to, “Good old fashioned police work, great victim assistance and a little bit of luck.”

Timothy McDowell, Credit: Burbank Police Dept.