By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

ROCKFORD –  Two Rockford teens were arrested Monday after police say they committed four early morning armed robberies.

At approximately 4:23 a.m., Rockford  officers responded to the Walgreens, 2323 Charles St. That’s where police say two black males entered the store and one of them produced a gun. He then demanded money from a clerk and struck the clerk with the firearm.

“The other suspect acted as a lookout,” Rockford Police Public Information Officer Michelle Marcomb said in a release.” The suspects were last observed running southbound from the business and getting into a vehicle.”

At around 5:13 a.m.,  police say a black male entered the Marathon Oil station on South Alpine Road, attempted to purchase a cigarette, then produced a gun. The suspect then demanded the clerk open a door to a secured area, but the clerk refused. The suspect then left without any proceeds.

However, at 5:22 a.m., officers received a call of an armed robbery in progress at the Mobil station on Sandy Hollow Road. When officers arrived, they learned the suspects fled in a vehicle headed east on Sandy Hollow.

“The vehicle was located behind Hampton Ridge Apartments and officers were advised that the suspects were last seen running across Bypass 20,” Marcomb said. “Officers set up a perimeter and began searching the area with assistance from an Illinois State Police canine unit. After a short time, both suspects were taken into custody without further incident. A firearm and other evidence was subsequently located with assistance from another canine from the Winnebago County canine unit.”

Aaron Wilson, 18, of Rockford, and a 17-year-old Rockford male are charged with four counts of armed robbery.

Police say the fourth count of armed robbery for each teen stems from Loves Park holdup that also occurred Monday morning.