Reilly Jackson, left, and Delvin Perkins
Suspects in July 2018 armored truck robbery in Blue Island arrested
Contributed By:The 411 News
Men face charges of conspiracy to commit Brinks robbery in Merrillville
Federal prosecutors in Hammond announced indictments following the arrests of two men in Merrillville, Indiana on Monday, March 18.
Reilly Jackson, Jr, 23, of Griffith, Indiana was charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit robbery affecting commerce. Delvin Perkins, 23, of South Holland, IL was charged in a criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to Wednesday’s indictments, the two men have been under investigation and surveillance since a robber took $500,000 in the July 2018 robbery of a Thillens armored truck in Blue Island, IL.
Jackson was employed by Thillens and was the driver of the truck. Perkins matched the description of the thief who took money out of the truck. Photos of Perkins wearing clothing matching the robber’s had been found in Jackson’s cell phone.
On Monday, FBI investigators observed Reilly at Perkins’ residence in Hobart as they left in Perkins’ Jeep Cherokee and drove to the area of U.S. 30 and Broadway, in Merrillville. Investigators noted Jackson had arrived at Perkins’ residence in bright colored clothing but changed to dark colored clothing. Perkins was also dressed in dark clothing.
Jackson and Perkins were observed following a Brinks armored truck as it made multiple stops to collect money from banks and businesses. Investigators became suspicious that a robbery was imminent and called for further assistance as neither of the Jeep’s occupants left the Jeep to do any business at the locations, except follow the armored truck. The Jeep’s temporary license plate was folded over, investigators said, in a possible attempt to obscure identification.
Local police officers made a traffic stop on the Jeep at 10 west 81st Avenue, around 2 p.m. Two handguns were found in the Jeep on the passenger’s side. Perkins and Reilly were transported to the Merrillville Police Station.
Reilly, the Jeep’s driver, revealed in the interview that he and Perkins were planning to rob the Brinks. In his statement, Perkins denied any plan to commit the robbery and denied ownership of the guns.
Reilly and Perkins are scheduled for a detention hearing in the Hammond federal court on Monday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Story Posted:03/22/2019
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