Serial Robber Who Targeted Bally’s Chicago Was Released by County Judge While Charges Pended
Posted on: July 30, 2025, 11:59h.
Last updated on: July 30, 2025, 12:14h.
- Chicago police believe a man continues to assault Bally’s casino gamblers
- A man is in custody for a string of robberies related to Bally’s Chicago
- A local judge had allowed the man to walk pending criminal charges
A serial robber who allegedly continually targeted gamblers arriving or leaving Bally’s Chicago was released by a county judge on pending charges before committing yet another violent assault.
News reports out of Chicago suggest Willie Greenwood, 27, has allegedly committed numerous robberies, with most of his victims being of Asian descent. Releases from the Chicago Police Department detail that Greenwood was first charged on March 14 for two felony robberies with a firearm.
Law enforcement says that on March 12 at 11:43 pm local time, Greenwood was identified as the alleged offender of an armed robbery. Police said surveillance video from the area captured Greenwood running to and from a black Hyundai Tucson while committing at least two armed robberies of people getting on or off the Bally’s Chicago casino shuttle in the 200 block of West 23rd in Chinatown.
The first robbery involved a 48-year-old man who said he handed over about $200 in $20 bills to Greenwood. The second incident involved Greenwood holding up a 65-year-old man at gunpoint until he handed over his wallet.
The March release from the Chicago PD shows Greenwood facing felony counts of “robbery — armed with a firearm” and the use of “replica firearms/pellet guns.”
Judge Releases Alleged Assailant
Just a month after police and Cook County prosecutors charged Greenwood, Judge Timothy Joyce allowed Greenwood to be released from custody while awaiting trial.
Greenwood allegedly wasted little time in returning to his criminal activities. Police arrested Greenwood again on June 6 after a 40-year-old needed medical attention after being assaulted and robbed inside a parking garage at 50 E. Ohio St., which is located a block east of Bally’s Chicago.
The victim told police he refused to adhere to Greenwood’s demands to hand over his wallet, which he said contained $2,500 in cash. After Greenwood allegedly punched and beat him, the assailant made off with the cash and the man’s credit cards.
He was released on a pending armed robbery and has now committed another violent robbery,” Judge James Murphy III said in motioning to keep Greenwood in custody.
Bally’s Chicago is a temporary casino facility located within the Medinah Temple. The casino will be replaced by the larger, permanent Bally’s Chicago resort at the former Chicago Tribune Publishing Center.
Mayor Touts Crime Rates
Greenwood’s release and recapture come as Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson flaunts recent crime numbers for the city long associated with being a hotbed for criminal activity. The mayor said on Tuesday that Chicago is experiencing a downward trend in shooting deaths, shootings, and violent crime.
“We acknowledge the progress that we have made this far, but it’s not a time to pat ourselves on our backs,” Johnson said. “But, this is certainly an encouraging indication that our efforts are paying dividends.”
Last weekend, 21 people were shot in Chicago. That’s good for Chicago, as the same weekend last year experienced 47 people shot.
Chicago’s homicide rate is down 3% year to date, shootings are down 40%, and carjackings are down 50%.
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