ALBANY PARK — After a surprise unconditional pardon by President Donald Trump for Rod “Blago” Blagojevich, the former Illinois Governor celebrated his newly clean slate by robbing a corner store.
“It happened so fast I didn’t really register what was going on,” said Eren Kaplan, 42, owner and cashier of Best Buy Food & Liquor, “I saw a silver-haired man enter the shop, yelling ‘I can’t be stopped!’ and started grabbing things off the counter.”
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During the chaotic robbery, Kaplan says the former governor repeatedly referred to himself as “invincible” and “allowed to do this now.” After grabbing several handfuls of candy from the counter, Blagojevich demanded the money from the register, and the hat Kaplan was wearing.
“That was the worst part. My son got me that hat,” said Kaplan of the Blackhawks knit cap that was taken during the robbery.
Ultimately, Kaplan says the impact of the robbery on his store was minimal, and though he only took $137 from the register, the former Governor seemed to be having a great time committing crimes again.
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“He looked like he had just walked into a surprise party for his birthday.” said Kaplan, “but instead of friends saying ‘surprise’ it was me saying ‘please don’t hurt me.’”
The decision to fully pardon the former governor was a surprise to both allies and opponents of President Trump. Some suggested it was rewarding a staunch ally of the president, while others have said it might suggest Trump testing the waters of broader pardons that might even include the president himself. All have agreed that pardoning Blagojevich twice was definitely bound to go to his head.
“You know what they say in legal circles,” said a member of the Illinois State Bar Association who wished to remain anonymous, “Pardon me once, shame on you, pardon me twice, crime is legal for me now.”
