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Cosmetics Thief Slashes 2 Store Employees, Cops Say

Alleged cosmetics thief being held without bond at Cook County Jail on felony armed robbery charge.

tracked down a man after he cut two employees with a knife who had had allegedly stolen cosmetics from a supermarket, reports said.

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Ryan R. Sturmer, 29, of the 12300 block of Kenneth Ave., in Alsip, was charged with one count of felony-armed robbery.

Police arrived at Jewel Food Store, at 8801 S. Ridgeland Ave., around 11:22 a.m. July 11, where they found a pair of employees with cuts on their forearms. Both refused medical treatment.

A store loss-prevention officer told police she spotted Sturmer stuffing cosmetics down his shirt before walking out of the store with the merchandise under his shirt, reports said.

Another Jewel employee went to assist her in apprehending Sturmer outside the store. Police said Sturmer pushed the 61-year-old employee and cut his forearm with a 4-inch folding knife. The loss prevention officer also tried to grab Sturmer, and he allegedly cut her arm as well and fled the store.

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The employees described Sturmer as approximately 30 years old, with short blond hair, fair skin, pimples, and wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey. Police said Sturmer got into a tan Buick and drove northbound on Narragansett toward Burbank.

Burbank and Alsip police were advised of the vehicle, which was registered to an address in Alsip.

Alsip police said the Buick was not at the address, but that Sturmer resided there and matched the suspect’s description.

Division Chief Michael Kaufmann, of the Oak Lawn Police Department, said that both Jewel employees independently identified Sturmer in a lineup on July 12. Both employees made an immediate identification of the suspect, Kaufmann added.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office approved felony charges. Sturmer is being held at Cook County Jail without bond.

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Jerry July 25, 2012 at 11:29 am
Not trying to be critical, but your opening sentence has a double "had" and is structured to imply that it was the two employees that had stolen cosmetics.
get them out July 25, 2012 at 01:01 pm
why so much crime at that jewel on ridgeland? constant robebries and trashy people either fighting or stealing.
BibbidyBobbidyBoo July 25, 2012 at 03:05 pm
No different than other stores in Oak Lawn. The Jewel at 95th & Pulaski is crime-ridden as well.
Pat F July 25, 2012 at 04:32 pm
All you have to do is check out the clientele going in and out..The sad part is a lot of them have been detained numerous times for theft(sometimes at the same location) and our revolving door of justice just spit them back out on the streets! I still say these banks in the Jewel is a big draw for crime as well!
Borninol July 25, 2012 at 11:35 pm
It's not oak lawns fault for all this nonsense happening!! It's all the CRAP that lives around us
Dave W. July 26, 2012 at 12:43 am
Nobody raised good kids in the seventies...those kids grew up and had the generation of kids that cause so many problems now. Of course those are broad generalizations...but people 25 to 32 should be out of their 'idiot' phase...but they aren't. Instead, we are still calling them 'kids' now...I was married, bought a new car, bought a place to live...now they stay at home until thirty...or marriage.
Oh Great one! July 26, 2012 at 11:52 am
It the wonderful 'catch and release' that our justice system practices. Go knock on Mr. Sturmer's door and I bet he is sitting on the couch eating cheetos!

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Joe Conroy June 16, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Yes the 4 keys are broken and in need of repair. Please advise of you want to look at it and I canRead More meet you later today. It's a good piano for lessons, kids, garage. Just no room anymore.
Concerned neighbor June 17, 2013 at 10:24 am
What is the status of the piano?
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It's yours call me
Courtney S.Pace June 15, 2013 at 11:22 am
Friday nights are a dooooozey! Or in this case a Boozey......
anthony June 15, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Something about a cultural preference ( more about genetic weakness based upon race, my opinion)
Phinnigin June 16, 2013 at 10:14 am
Re: Mother 24's final comment on food handlers hand washing, is there an ordinance requiring hotRead More water in restrooms.? Many have only cold water in both faucets or verrrryyyy slow to respond hot water faucets. This should be a point of inspection for the health inspector (s.) Phinnigin
Mother 24 June 16, 2013 at 10:21 am
Re:Phinnigin. I agree!! Most establishments do not have hot water in the restrooms!!! However, whyRead More can't restaurants install hand sanitizer behind the counter? The Popeye's in Burbank has a hand sanitizer installed behind the counter, but honestly, the employees hardly ever use it, which is why, after a horrible experience at that location last July, I have not patronized ANY Popeye's since!!!
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Two words.. Peanut allergies!!!!
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