Hinsdale Man Charged With Second Attempted Robbery This Month

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Hinsdale man tried to rob a business in the western suburb for the second time in less than two weeks Monday, according to prosecutors.

Milan Crnovich, 24, entered the Hinsdale Food Mart at 5827 S. Madison St. wearing a blue ski mask Monday, then gave the clerk a note demanding money in $5, $10 and $20 denominations, according to the DuPage County state's attorney's office.

Crnovich told the clerk he was being robbed, but when the clerk started yelling at him, Crnovich ran out empty-handed, prosecutors said.

The clerk called police and officers found Crnovich about 50-75 yards away from the store, prosecutors said. They also found a ski mask and the note; and he was taken into custody.

Crnovich, who faces one count of felony attempt robbery, was charged last week with aggravated robbery after trying to rob the Mobil station at 8 W. Chicago Ave. in Hinsdale about 1 a.m. Dec. 3.

During that robbery, he was wearing a white ski mask and a "distinctive" jacket, prosecutors said. When the clerk returned, Crnovich handed him a note with the word "gun" written on it and then showed him a silver gun.

The clerk gave Crnovich $180 and he ran away, prosecutors said. The next day, the clerk called police again and told them the suspect had returned. Officers found Crnovich about a block from the station.

Crnovich claimed he was looking for his backpack, and when officers helped him find it, they found the white ski mask and jacket he wore during the robbery inside.

Officers patted Crnovich down and found a silver pistol in his waistband, which turned out to be an Airsoft pistol, prosecutors said.

Crnovich, of the 5600 block of South Garfield Avenue in Hinsdale, posted $20,000 bond on his previous case and was released from custody Dec. 6, prosecutors said.

"Exactly one week ago, this very same defendant found himself in bond court facing armed robbery charges in a case that is strikingly similar to the allegations presented against him today," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

"What I find particularly disturbing in this case is the fact that Mr. Crnovich was out on bond when he allegedly attempted to rob the Hinsdale Food Mart," Berlin said.

Judge John Kinsella revoked Crnovich's bond Tuesday morning, pending a Friday hearing.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2016. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)