Tip: Make Sure Getaway Van Starts Before You Rob!

Courtesy of


ROCKFORD, IL - This would-be robber probably is not cut out for a life in crime.About 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Shawn D. Farr, 18, of Rockford parked his trusty getaway van outside the front door of the Stop-N-Shop gas station and convenience store, 2501 Huffman Blvd., and entered the business wearing a dark ski mask.

It wasn't clear what demands, if any, were made before a delivery man entered the store through a rear door and startled Farr. Police said Farr fled to his van only to find it wouldn't immediately start.

Employees at the store jotted down the van's license plate number and called police.

Police located Farr and his vehicle in the 1400 block of North Church Street where a short foot chase ensued. He was arrested on a charge of attempted armed robbery and resisting police. The armed robbery charge stems from the recovery of a knife.Farr also was found to be wanted on two warrants, and detectives linked him to a residential burglary that occurred in December in the 3000 block of Searles Avenue. In connection with that crime, Farr was charged with residential burglary and criminal damage to property. Farr was being held in the Winnebago County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.