EVANSTON — Evanston resident Jorden Parks has been charged in the burglary that occurred in the early morning on June 14 at Rip’s Fast Stop. He faces counts of burglary, theft and property destruction.

In a sworn affidavit, Evanston police officer Shawn Stahl details responding to a reported burglary at Rip’s. The store’s morning manager, Jamie Kunz, had arrived at about 4:07 a.m. and observed the back door was unlocked, the cash register drawers were open and empty, vape cartridges had been stolen from behind the counter and the ATM near the front door had been opened and emptied.

Stahl and others surveyed the scene and observed that the marks on the ATM resembled those left by an angle grinder.

A few hours later, area manager Terri Hance was able to access security footage from early that morning. The video showed a white male, with dark rimmed glasses and a beard, wearing a blue and gray DC baseball cap, a balaclava neck covering, a dark-colored hoodie and gloves. He carried an angle grinder, entering the store through the back door at 1:46 a.m.

At 2:02 a.m., the suspect opened the cash register drawers using a pry tool and removed the cash. At 2:17 a.m., he began to work on the ATM. He first attempted to use a hammer, then started to use the angle grinder. After about an hour, he removed the cash from the cash box.

At approximately 3:30 a.m., the suspect in the surveillance footage went behind the counter and stole multiple vape cartridges. He took all of the stolen items through the back door, leaving the scene.

Later in the day, area manager Ellie Rhinehart told police two employees had viewed the footage and identified the suspect as Parks, who lived with a former Rip’s employee. Another officer had spoken to one of Parks’ coworkers at the Evanston Inn, who had seen a screenshot of the footage and identified the suspect as Parks. Other locals who saw stills also identified Parks.

Stahl obtained a warrant to search Parks’ property for clothing, vapes and other items seen in the security footage. The cap was located after Stahl asked Parks if he owned one like it and Parks allegedly said he did not.

According to court document, on June 15, several items mentioned on the warrant were located in a drawer at Parks’ property, including a cap matching the one in the footage, $1,860 in twenty-dollar bills, multiple unopened vapes matching those stolen from the store, gloves matching the footage, a pry bar and more. When asked where the items had come from, Parks said a friend named Dale had given them to him.

During a noncustodial interview at the Evanston Police Department, Parks denied any involvement in the crime; however, when asked if the serial numbers on the bills found in his drawer would match those missing from the ATM, he allegedly said they probably would.

Lane Dillon of Global ATM, the company which owns the machine, said a report indicated there would have been $3,460. After subtracting $20 left in the machine, the theft would have amounted to $3,440, Dillon told investigators.

On June 17, Rhinehart reported the money missing from the register totaled $289. She also confirmed that most of the items found at Parks’ residence matched items sold at the store.

Stahl spoke to a Rip’s employee’s daughter on June 18. She reported she had seen the robbery footage on June 14 and believed the suspect may be someone named “Jordan,” who had worked with her husband. She confirmed this after looking at Parks’ Facebook profile and said she and her husband used to spend a lot of time with Parks and his wife.

On June 19, Stahl added up the cost of the items believed to have been stolen, reaching a total amount over $8,000. On June 20, Rhinehart said the cost of replacing the broken cash register would be more than $1,000.

Austin Carrico, a Juicity Vapor employee, had recognized Parks from the video footage when he entered the store. Carrico said Parks was a regular customer who typically only bought a disposable vape or container of juice and often complained he did not have money, but spent over $200 during a visit after the burglary.

When he paid, Parks pulled out such a large wad of cash that he struggled not to drop any bills, according to the affidavit.

Parks faces charges of burglary, theft and property destruction — all felonies. He has a preliminary hearing Friday, July 5. If convicted, he will face possible prison time of up to 30 years and fines as high as $30,000.