Armed attackers duct taped employees at Skokie business

FOX 32 NEWS - An armed robbery at a monument company in Skokie has the owner frustrated, even though the robbers didn’t get anything.

Wearing a towel over his head to protect his identity, the owner of Troost Memorials said he was already moving on from what has been a rough day.

“I don't believe in focusing on negatives, I don't do that. Every day's a good day. I got over having bad days a long time ago,” said the 82-year-old owner who did not want his name used.

Just before noon Friday, he and his 56-year-old secretary were inside Troost Memorials when three men barged in and tried to rob the business using what police described as cutting instruments.

The owner said they threatened him if he didn't cooperate. They tied him and his secretary up with duct tape, and forced them into a back room, taking the man's home keys and leaving.

The tape left bruises on the man's arms, but he was otherwise not hurt. He was caught off guard by such a brazen day time robbery attempt.

“Of course I was surprised, anybody who's got a business and someone walks in and robs a small business is gonna be surprised,” the owner said.

The secretary ran to the chiropractor’s office next door after getting free.

“She was just traumatized, I mean she thought that she was going to be raped or killed or whatever,” said John Lai, a massage therapist in the office.

After leaving the business, the robbers went to the owners home and ransacked that, but apparently got nothing.

The owner had these words for the robbers.

“I'd tell them I'll pray for them, that's what I'd tell them,” he said.

The suspects were described as three males wearing sunglasses and baseball caps.

Anyone with information about the robbery or the identity of the suspects is asked to call the Skokie Police Department at (847) 982-5900 or the Crime Tip hotline at (847) 933-8477.