Grundy County authorities are turning to the community for help tracking down two suspects accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from a group of people during a violent armed robbery in a restaurant Friday night.
According to the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, the 911 center received a call about a possibly injured person at the Miso Hungry Restaurant around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, July 19. However, due to a “significant language barrier,” dispatch only thought a medic was needed.
When Grundy EMS got to the scene, they found seven people lying in a closet, appearing distressed, and asked for assistance, officials said. The Grundy County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) arrived shortly afterward. Then, after emergency personnel realized the victims had reportedly been robbed and beaten, the sheriff’s office responded to the scene.
Deputies and investigators noticed seven individuals inside the restaurant, cleaning and renovating. Authorities said they obtained a description of the suspects—who were believed to be on foot—and began an extensive search.
Through translation, law enforcement said they learned two males entered the back of the restaurant, forcing the victims inside into a small closet area at gunpoint. Some individuals reported feeling a sharp pain in their back that could have been from a knife used by one of the suspects to force them into the closet.
Once inside the room, the people were beaten and robbed of their jewelry, wallets, cash, and anything else they had with them, the sheriff’s office said. Approximately $1,500 in cash and $5,000 to $7,000 worth of jewelry and debit cards were taken.
According to officials, the victims said the suspects also cursed at them and yelled, “Get back to your own country.”
Four of the individuals were brought to the emergency room with minor injuries following the incident, authorities said.
The Palmer Community Center was also broken into on the same night. A 2007 white GMC single-cab truck with plate number 40727CP was stolen. There is no word on whether this is connected to the robbery, but it is not ruled out.
The sheriff’s office said the suspects were described as roughly 6 feet tall, one with a slender build and the other with a somewhat heavy-set build. They were both reportedly wearing black ski masks, black long-sleeved shirts, blue jeans, black shoes, and black gloves. In addition, the gun was identified as a possible black semi-automatic pistol.
Both suspects were still at large, and now the victims’ family members are offering a $1,000 cash reward for information that leads to an arrest of the individuals involved. Contact the Grundy County Sheriff's Department if you have information concerning this case.
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