May 04--A 28-year-old Elgin man who allegedly robbed a convenience store was captured by police who found him floating in the Fox River on Tuesday, authorities said.
According to a news release from the Elgin Police Department, Joseph C. Figliola, of the 500 block of Raymond Street, was charged with felony robbery and was scheduled to appear in Kane County bond court Wednesday morning.
Police said they received a call about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday about a robbery at the JJ Peppers store at 10 S. State St. According to Deputy Police Chief Bill Wolf, Figliola allegedly reached into the cash register drawer when it was opened during a transaction, grabbed cash with both hands and fled. No weapon was displayed.
A description of the suspect was provided from witnesses and video surveillance cameras at the store, and officers began searching for him.
A person matching his description was seen floating in the Fox River about two blocks from the store and was taken into custody by officers, according to police.
Wolf said police did not have to enter the water to get Figliola. Officers were on both sides of the river and Figliola, apparently realizing his fate, was coaxed to one of the banks by police and captured.
Wolf said it's not the first time a suspect has attempted that type of escape.
"It seems like it happens once or twice a year," he said. "I don't remember it ever being successful. Your options are limited unless there is a strong current."
A judge set Figliola's bail at $50,000 at a Wednesday morning hearing. He is scheduled to return to court on May 18 for a status hearing before Judge James Hallock.
Figliola is currently on parole in connection to Kane County convictions for theft in 2014 and burglary in 2015. He was released from prison in October with his parole running through late 2017, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections. Figliola has been in prison several times over the last eight years burglary and stolen motor vehicle cases out of Cook, DuPage and Kane counties.
Kane County court records show Figliola was convicted of attempted burglary in 2007 in a case investigated by the sheriff's office. Elgin police arrested him in 2013 and 2014 on theft charges, while the 2015 burglary conviction stemmed from an arrest by the Kane County Forest Preserve police.
Freelance reporter Dan Campana contributed.
