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Teens suspected in string of robberies

ELKHORN — Two Walworth teens suspected in a string of robberies in Illinois also face 40 years in prison for a robbery in Geneva Township.

Ryan T. Severt, 19, and Seth D. Woodhouse, 18, both of Walworth are accused in the Feb. 3 armed robbery of the Mobil Handa Mart on County Highway H in Geneva Township.

The two also face charges in a string of robberies in Harvard, Alden and Chemung in McHenry County, Ill., in January, according to court documents.

Walworth County investigators contacted the McHenry County Sheriff's office after learning the descriptions of the suspects matched.

In all four incidents, a robber wearing an orange ski mask and sunglasses brandished a black semi-automatic pistol and demanded cash. The robber also demanded a carton of Newport 100 cigarettes.

Severt and Woodhouse are charged in Walworth County with armed robbery and could be fined up to $100,000 each.

They are being held on $50,000 bond and are expected in court for a preliminary hearing March 3.

According to the criminal complaint:

An employee at Handa Mart told authorities a male pointed a handgun at him and demanded the store's cash. The employee said he gave the man about $500.

The robber told the employee and a customer to stand against a wall and not move. The robber said he would return and kill them if any the victims attempted to call police.

The Severt and Woodhouse were arrested after a witness told police that he saw a red truck near Handa Mart being driven with headlights off. The witness heard officers being dispatched to the store and told police about the truck.

Authorities located the truck and the suspects, along with $419 cash, a black air gun, an orange ski mask, sunglasses and a carton of Newport cigarettes.

Woodhouse admitted to entering the store in Geneva Township and committing three other robberies in Illinois in recent weeks. Severt admitted to driving Woodhouse on at least two other robberies in Illinois.