PEORIA, Ill. – Two men are facing federal charges after allegedly conducting a string of armed robberies across central Illinois.
Court documents filed on Monday reveal that 32-year-old Titus Alexander and 43-year-old Mitchell Smith are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and Possession in Furtherance of Crime of Violence.
The pair are accused of robbing spas of money in Peoria, Dunlap, and Jacksonville in April and May of this year. But an affidavit reveals that at least seven robberies from late-January to May 17th are being investigated.
The first incident listed in the affidavit discusses an incident at Ocean Spa in Dunlap on April 22nd. It alleges that two suspects were seen on security video at the Dollar General walking toward Ocean Spa, then seen entering the spa and going to the back room where one of the victims was found.
The pair of suspects allegedly assaulted and restrained one victim, while another victim fell to the ground during a struggle. One of the suspects allegedly picked up a black pistol that fell from his waistband and pulled the second victim into another room, striking them in the head with it several times.
The second suspect zip tied the second victim while she was in a bedroom, while the first suspect pulled the first victim from one of the rooms with his arm around her neck. The suspects reportedly took around $500.
Surveillance video shows one of the suspects wearing an Amazon delivery vest.
On April 25th, Peoria Police and ATF agents responded to a robbery at Sister Relax Spa in Peoria. A victim there told police the suspects entered the business, but refused to provide service because they were wearing masks and gloves. The victim was then allegedly grabbed from behind by the first suspect and choked, while the second suspect entered and began checking the employees lounge for money.
The victim was reportedly choked unconscious by the first suspect, and waited until the suspects left the business after regaining consciousness before seeking help.
The affidavit says between $200-300 was taken by the suspects.
On May 17th, members of the ATF Peoria Area Federal Firearms Task Force followed a vehicle connected to the suspects as it made its way to Jacksonville towards the Summer Spa. The pair were reportedly observed exiting the location and attempted to exit the Los Rancheros parking lot in the suspect vehicle, when they were taken into custody without incident.
A victim at the Summer Spa reportedly told police that Smith came into the business to request a massage. Smith went to pay for it and allegedly grabbed the victim by the neck as she reached for the money. The victim stated she was choked unconscious, and found that she was zip tied at the hands and ankles when she awoke.
The suspects then reportedly asked where the money was located, and rummaged through rooms seeking it. The victim estimated that $800-1,000 was stolen.
The affidavit revealed that a search of Alexander reportedly turned up a victim’s waller with ID, two of the victims’ phones, a victim’s wristwatch, money, a mask with black hair, and black boots. A search of Smith reportedly turned up yellow gloves, money, and white Nike shoes with blue accents.
A search of the suspect vehicle by police reportedly turned up an Amazon delivery vest, a utility knife, a black Sony bag with black and clear/white zip ties, money, a Glock Model 37 .45 caliber pistol, black gloves with white accents, and other evidence.
25 News reports a detention hearing will be held Wednesday afternoon for Alexander and Smith.
Comments