A suburban Chicago man already facing armed robbery charges has been jailed again after prosecutors say he attempted to remove his court-ordered GPS ankle monitor using a pair of bolt cutters taken from a Home Depot store.
According to Cook County prosecutors, 28-year-old Tyrone Arnold has been charged with escape from electronic monitoring and criminal damage to government property after allegedly trying to cut off the electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle.
Prosecutors Say Tamper Alert Led Deputies to Home Depot
Authorities said the incident occurred on Monday at the Home Depot located at 4555 S. Western Avenue in Chicago.
According to court filings, Arnold had been living under electronic monitoring while awaiting trial in a separate armed robbery case. Prosecutors said he became worried after someone accused him of stealing property at the residence where he had been staying.
Fearing the allegation could result in him being returned to jail, Arnold allegedly went to Home Depot and selected a pair of bolt cutters from the store.
Investigators said he began cutting through the strap attached to his GPS ankle monitor while inside the store.
However, before he could fully remove the device, the monitor automatically sent a tamper alert to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies quickly tracked the GPS signal and arrived at the Home Depot parking lot just as Arnold was leaving the store.
Authorities said the ankle monitor was still attached to his leg, but the strap had been cut approximately halfway through.
Suspect Allegedly Showed Deputies the Bolt Cutters
After being stopped by sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors said Arnold cooperated with investigators.
According to court records, he escorted deputies back inside the Home Depot and led them directly to the aisle where the bolt cutters were displayed, identifying the tool he allegedly used to damage the monitoring device.
Earlier Armed Robbery Case
Arnold had been placed on electronic monitoring after being arrested in 2024 in connection with an armed robbery involving the owner of a suburban Mexican restaurant.
According to prosecutors, the victim had just withdrawn $3,000 from a bank near 115th Street and Halsted Street to pay a meat supplier before driving to his restaurant.
As the restaurant owner parked outside the business, prosecutors allege Arnold pulled up in a Ford Fusion, blocked the victim’s vehicle, and demanded the cash.
When the victim attempted to resist, Arnold allegedly struck him in the head several times.
During the struggle, the victim dropped his cellphone. Prosecutors said Arnold picked up the phone before returning toward the vehicle.
Authorities further allege that a second suspect then exited the car and pointed a handgun at the restaurant owner before both men fled the scene.
Police Tracked Stolen Phone
Investigators said Blue Island police later used a FLOCK license plate camera system to locate the suspect vehicle.
The vehicle was eventually traced to the area of 123rd Street and Halsted Street, where police believe Arnold sold the victim’s stolen cellphone at a nearby gas station.
Officers later located the Ford Fusion, stopped the vehicle, and arrested Arnold along with the second suspect.
Police also recovered a firearm from a grassy area near where Arnold was taken into custody.
According to prosecutors, both suspects admitted participating in the robbery during police interviews.
Authorities said Arnold acknowledged striking the victim, taking the cellphone, and later selling it at the gas station.
Previously Released on Electronic Monitoring
Following his arrest in the robbery case, prosecutors had asked Judge Lisette Mojica to keep Arnold in custody while awaiting trial.
The judge instead ordered his release on electronic monitoring.
That arrangement remained in place until the recent Home Depot incident.
Judge Orders Arnold Back to Jail
During his latest court appearance, Judge Rivanda Doss Beal ordered Arnold detained.
The judge ruled that Arnold should remain in custody on both the new charges involving the ankle monitor and for violating the conditions of his release in the pending armed robbery case.
According to prosecutors, the judge noted Arnold had spent enough time on electronic monitoring to understand that he had lawful alternatives instead of allegedly attempting to remove the GPS device.
Arnold now remains in custody as he faces prosecution on both the new electronic monitoring charges and the earlier armed robbery case.
