A man charged with 25 felonies and two misdemeanors in a string of armed robberies at six different Galesburg businesses this spring has pleaded not guilty.
A Knox County grand jury returned the indictments against Grayling L. Churn, 67, who was arrested May 16 following a robbery at an ice cream shop on South Farnham Street.
Churn appeared Monday in Knox County court with his public defenders for arraignment. He was denied pretrial release and remains in custody in the Knox County jail.
The robberies began in late April and continued until mid-May, according to court documents.
In each robbery, the suspect had his face covered. His right hand was also covered, concealing what appeared to be a gun.
The suspect entered the following businesses and demanded money before fleeing on foot:
- Circle K, 551 N. Henderson St.
- McDonald’s, 1158 E. Main St.
- AmericInn, 2284 Promenade Court
- Dunkin Donuts, 955 N. Henderson St.
- Hy-Vee, 2030 E. Main St.
- Flavor Freeze, 552 S. Farnham St.
In one robbery, Churn reportedly punched an employee. In another, he threw a man to the ground.
Churn walked away from the robberies with cash ranging from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand.
Felony charges include multiple counts of aggravated battery and aggravated robbery while indicating the presence of a firearm.
Churn faces 11 felony counts and two misdemeanors in the Flavor Freeze robbery. According to court documents, the suspect forced his way into the business after it closed.
Following a struggle, he departed the scene with bank bags containing cash.
When officers located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, the suspect did not stop, leading to a pursuit. In that case, the charges include aggravated fleeing and aggravated battery to a peace officer.
Following Churn's arrest in mid-May, he was linked to the other robberies.
A status hearing is set for July 16.
Churn was previously convicted of burglary and robbery with a firearm in Oklahoma and served in prison before being released in 2022.
