Rockford man arrested in Dec. 7 armed robbery on Highland and East State

Online Staff Report

Vernon L. Smith, 30, of Rockford, has been arrested in the Dec. 7 armed robbery of an individual near the corner of Highland and East State Street in Rockford.

Smith is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, unlawful use of a weapon by a street gang member, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and no Firearm Owner’s Identification card.

Police were dispatched to Highland and East State at 4:37 p.m., Dec. 7, in reference to an armed robbery to a citizen. The victim advised that he had just been robbed by a man with a gun. The victim provided a description of the suspect and the suspect’s direction of travel as he fled.

Patrol officers in the area observed a subject matching the suspect’s description. When the officers attempted to stop the subject, he fled on foot. Officers pursued the suspect on foot. The suspect was taken into custody in the 200 block of North Prospect, and was identified as Smith. The suspect was later identified by the victim as the person who had robbed and pointed a gun at him. A handgun and U.S. currency were recovered.

Smith is lodged at the Winnebago County Jail.