Cops Collar Alleged Armed Robber, Firefighters Possibly Dragging Pond For Gun

The Frankfort cops nabbed a man they say pulled three recent robberies.

Jeffrey Santucci, 19, of 7731 Richardson Lane was charged with armed robbery, theft and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the alleged crime spree.

According to a statement released by Frankfort police Cmdr. Kevin Keegan, Santucci robbed "a business in the 9500 block of West Lincoln Highway" on Saturday.

Santucci "displayed a small handgun, demanded money and fled the area eastbound on foot," the statement said. "No one was harmed at the business and a small amount of cash was taken."

Keegan's release also said "similar robberies had taken place in Mokena and Will County Sheriff's jurisdiction."

Keegan could not be immediately reached for additional details on the robberies and how the police linked them to Santucci.

The Frankfort police arrested Santucci Wednesday.

Firefighters from Tinley Park, Orland Park and Mokena were assisting Frankfort police in the water recovery of an item tossed by a subject into a pond behind a row of house in the 7300 block of Blackhawk Drive in Tinley Park Thursday afternoon. Two water recovery teams were called to the scene, including one from Palos Heights.

The search was conducted less than a mile from Santucci's home.

Calls made to the listed phone number for Santucci's adress, where an older Jeffrey Santucci also reportedly resides, were not answered and a message was not returned.

Lauren Traut, Nick Swedberg, Ben Feldheim and Joseph Hosey contributed to this story.

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