June 07, 2025
Local News

County issues warrant in title loan robbery

By CARRIE FRILLMAN

Lewis Gilbert, 45, believed to be seen here on a security camera was arrested in connection with a string of robberies throughout Illinois and Indiana. (Provided photo)

DeKALB – Police believe a man charged in a string of Illinois and Indiana robberies is also responsible for a July armed robbery at a title loan business in DeKalb.

A DeKalb County warrant for aggravated robbery was issued Tuesday for Lewis E. Gilbert, 45, of Schererville, Ind., according to DeKalb police. Gilbert was in custody Wednesday at a Valparaiso hospital, where he was being treated for an unspecified medical condition. Police said Lewis is suspected of holding up about 16 payday loan businesses including Illinois Title Loans Inc., at 2733 Sycamore Road in DeKalb.

The armed robbery at the DeKalb business was reported July 2 shortly after noon, when employees said a man wearing a fake mustache and dreadlocks wig pulled out a silver handgun and demanded money, police said.

No shots were fired and no one was injured, but the man ran away with an undisclosed amount of money, according to a written statement from the DeKalb Police Department.

Officers from DeKalb and Sycamore police departments, the county sheriff's department and a tracking dog assisted July 2 in the search for the man, who headed west through the parking lot toward a grassy area near Oak Crest DeKalb Area Retirement Center.

Following the incident, investigators with the DeKalb Police Department learned of several other armed robberies that occurred at similar businesses in the Chicago area since April, said DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler.

A description of the car was obtained through video surveillance in Tinley Park, and The Illinois Tollway Authority assisted in identifying a Gilbert as a suspect.

Police located evidence, including a fake gun, while executing a search warrant Monday at Gilbert's Schererville residence, according to the written statement.

Gilbert has been linked to similar Illinois armed robberies in Lombard, Elgin, Belvidere, Glendale Heights, Joliet and Tinley Park. Indiana robberies in which he is suspected include those in Michigan City, Hammond and Valparaiso.

Gilbert was in custody in Indiana Wednesday, and his DeKalb County bail was set Tuesday at $250,000. DeKalb police are expected to have a news conference at 4 p.m. Thursday giving more details about the investigation.