Police arrest three in ice cream parlor theft

HOMER GLEN -- Will County Sheriff's police have arrested a manager accused of being the "inside man" in a robbery at an ice cream parlor last month.

Katie A. Eppenstein, 23, was arrested Monday afternoon on charges of theft and disorderly conduct for her alleged role in the Sept. 10 caper.

Jeffrey A. Hill, 22, and Antonio E. Morsovillo, 18, were also arrested and booked into the county jail last week where they remain on $50,000 bonds.

Hill, of 1230 Rock Run Road in Crest Hill, has been charged with robbery and theft. Morsovillo, of 1706 Maserati Drive in Joliet, has been charged with theft.

According to reports, Eppenstein, of 14920 Glen Crest Lane, called police around 10:45 a.m. Sept. 10 and told them she had been leaving The Iron Horse Creamery, 15112 S. Bell Road, when a man wearing a bandana over his face pushed her to the ground and stole a deposit envelope full of cash and her car.

"She left through the back door and claimed (the suspect) yelled 'Hey' and punched her in the face," police said. "He grabbed the keys and envelope she dropped ... started her 2001 Chevrolet Blazer and took off."

Eppenstein returned to the store and told another employee, who called the police.

"What actually happened was Eppenstein's boyfriend, Hill, staged the robbery with her, while Morsovillo acted as the getaway driver," spokesman Pat Barry said.

As detectives were interviewing Eppenstein, her Blazer was found parked near Elite Fitness. An ambulance took her to Silver Cross for injuries to her face "as a precautionary measure."

"Detective Daniel Troike, Sgt. Mike Kelley and other detectives assigned to the investigation were able to determine the robbery was an inside job," Barry said.

Hill was arrested Oct. 19 and Morsovillo was taken into custody Thursday.