Pair involved in Marengo gas station shooting also wanted by Aurora police

Two men wanted in connection with a shooting that sent a Marengo gas station employee to the hospital Wednesday are also suspected in a string of armed robberies of Aurora convenience stores, the Aurora Police Department said on Facebook.

At 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, Marengo police responded to the Circle K/Shell at 600 N. State St., which is also Route 23, for a reported gunshot victim and armed robbery, according to a news release. The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist.

The person shot, an adult male employee, was treated at the scene by Marengo Fire & Rescue personnel and flown to Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford with injuries that were not considered life threatening, Marengo Police Chief Paul Fritz said.

Police said they were looking for two men, possibly 25 to 35 years of age, who were armed with handguns and took an unknown amount of money.

Aurora police said they are also looking for the men because of their suspected involvement in robberies that occurred about 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the 100 block of South Broadway, 8:45 p.m. Feb. 23 also in the 100 block of South Broadway, and 9:55 p.m. Feb. 25 in the 200 block of South Lake Street.

Those with information can contact Aurora Police Department’s investigations division at (630) 256-5500 or the Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. They can also call the Marengo Police Department at 815-568-7231 or the McHenry County Crime Stoppers at 800-762-7867.

The first suspect was described as a Hispanic man, about 5-foot-4- to 5-foot-5-inches tall, with a tattoo or mark on his right cheek. The man was seen on surveillance footage wearing a black hoodie with the text “Duckin bad vibes” on the chest, according to a news release from the Marengo Police Department Wednesday.

The second suspect was described as a Hispanic man, about 5-foot-8- to 6-foot-1-inches tall. He was seen wearing boots, black jeans, a black jacket with a stipe on the shoulder, and an unidentified white logo on the right chest, according to the release.

The wife of the gas station employee, Melissa Pemble, organized a GoFundMe page to cover her husband’s medical bills and lost income. As of Saturday evening, $10,423 had been raised.

Pemble wrote that her husband, Brian, has five children, and was shot while working his second job at the gas station.

In an update to supporters, Melissa Pemble wrote that Brian Pemble is home from the hospital and recovering.

“He is managing his pain well, through rest, and pain medication,” Melissa Pemble wrote. “We are incredibly grateful for all of the outpouring of love and support! Thank you!”