Police: Robbery May Be Tied To Street Gang

Evanston Police arrested a 21-year-old man from Winthrop Harbor Friday in connection with an alleged robbery at the Citgo gas station in the 2400 block of Dempster Street.

Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, two men approached an 18-year-old man from Palatine in the gas station lot, and one accused him of belonging to the Latin Kings gang, according to a press release from Police Cmdr. Jason Parrott. Then that same man punched the 18-year-old in the face, grabbed his Blackhawks cap and ran away with the other alleged offender, Parrott said.

Police searched the area and found Giovanni L. Renteria, 21, of Winthrop Harbor, in the 1200 block of Fowler Avenue. The 18-year-old victim, who denied belonging to any gang, identified Renteria as the man who had punched him and stolen his cap, according to Parrott. Police arrested Renteria and charged him with robbery, a class two felony.

Parrott told Patch that police believe the two offenders involved in the robbery may belong to the Spanish Gangster Disciple Street Gang, a rival to the Latin Kings.

However, he said that, "at this time, there is nothing to show that the victim was affiliated with a gang."