CHICAGO — A 19-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly robbing two Subway restaurants within an hour on the city’s Northwest Side — using a water pistol and a handwritten note claiming he had a gun.
Emir Esenbekov, 19, was arrested in Norwood Park on June 9 and charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, according to police and court records. Prosecutors said Esenbekov entered two Subway locations early that morning and passed threatening notes to store clerks before fleeing with cash.
Fake Gun, Real Charges
The first robbery took place around 1:40 a.m. at the Subway located at 5232 North Nagle Avenue. Esenbekov reportedly handed a demand note to the cashier stating, “I have a gun. This is a robbery,” and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Roughly 40 minutes later, he targeted a second Subway at 6352 North Milwaukee Avenue. But this time, police were already in the area due to a citywide alert about the earlier robbery.
Police Standoff Ends With Admission
Chicago officers, who had staked out the second restaurant, observed Esenbekov enter and leave the premises matching the description of the earlier suspect. Before police could even question him, a store employee ran out and reported that he had just been robbed again.
When officers approached, Esenbekov reportedly blurted out, “I robbed Subway,” according to prosecutors.
Upon searching him, police recovered:
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A water pistol tucked in his hoodie pocket
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$155 in cash
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A robbery note that read: “I have a gun. This is a robbery.”
Judge Orders Detention
Cook County Judge Shauna Boliker ordered Esenbekov held without bail during a bond hearing, citing the psychological harm and fear caused to unsuspecting store employees.
“He terrorizes unassuming store clerks with a water gun and a note,” the judge said.
No physical injuries were reported in either incident, though both locations are cooperating with ongoing investigations.
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