Two Charged in Robbery Spree in Chicago and Oak Park

CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has indicted two Chicago residents on a total of five counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce.  

EQUISHA BUTLER, 29, of Chicago has been charged with five counts of robbery and KISHAWN BROWNLEE, 26, of Chicago has been charged alongside Butler on two of those counts.  The indictment, which was unsealed on March 6, alleges that between April 13 and July 29, 2022, Butler robbed five 7-11 convenience stores and that Brownlee participated in two of those robberies. The five robberies occurred at 7-11 stores located at:

• 661 South Blvd, Oak Park
• 3800 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago
• 2366 N Damen, Chicago
• 4771 N Elston, Chicago
• 4346 N Kimball, Chicago

Both Butler and Brownlee were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cole on March 1, 2023.  

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Robert W. Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and David Brown, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Irene Hickey Sullivan.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  Each count of robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.