Schnucks Robbery Suspect Also Charged With Terrorist Threat

Alton's Kareem J. Hamilton is charged after he allegedly threatened to detonate an explosive during a robbery at a Godfrey grocery store.

Feb 24, 2026 1:51 PM Feb 25, 2026 11:43 AM

Listen to the story

Kareem Hamilton.

ALTON - Madison County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Godfrey man after authorities said he threatened to detonate an explosive during a robbery at a Schnucks grocery store in Godfrey, then fled and was captured following a foot pursuit in Alton.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

The robbery occurred at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Schnucks, 2712 Godfrey Road, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

Madison County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Marcos Pulido said deputies said the suspect approached an employee near the self-checkout area, demanded money from a register, and claimed he had an explosive, threatening to set it off. Deputies said the suspect became physically aggressive toward another employee and a customer and began counting down “as if he was prepared to detonate the explosive.”

The sheriff's office said the suspect was given cash and left the store in a silver or tan GMC truck. Because the store is on the border with the city of Alton, the Alton Police Department was notified, the sheriff’s office said.

“Within moments,” Alton Police Patrol Sgt. Michael Morelli located the vehicle on Pearl Street in Alton, the sheriff’s office said. Authorities said the suspect stopped the vehicle at Bozza Street and Washington Avenue in Alton, then ran and was apprehended after a foot pursuit.

Investigators later found additional evidence linking the person apprehended to the robbery, the sheriff’s office said. No explosives were located.

Article continues after sponsor message

Reach Your Local Community with Us - advertise today!

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, details of the investigation were presented to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Kareem J. Hamilton, 30, of Godfrey, was charged with the following:

- Count I: Making a Terrorist Threat (Class X Felony)

- Count II: Aggravated Robbery (Class 1 Felony)

- Count III: Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony)

Hamilton remains in custody at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

“I am thankful for the continued collaboration between the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Alton Police Department,” Pulido said in a statement. “The coordination between the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Alton Police Department, combined with the quick work of their patrol officers, led to this quick arrest.

"Thank you to all responding deputies and officers whose teamwork led to a quick arrest and ensured there was no ongoing threat to the public."

The Alton Police Department also provided the following statement after the quick arrest: "We are proud of the swift actions of our patrol division and grateful for the seamless collaboration with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Incidents like this demonstrate the strength of interagency communication and our shared commitment to keeping our communities safe."

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Prefer RiverBender on Google