Lemont Siblings Charged In String Of Robberies: Mom Brought Kids Along, Police Say

Two siblings from suburban Lemont were ordered held on $2 million bail Sunday after allegedly stealing jewelry from immigrant women in Chicago--and taking small children along for the ride.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Jaclyn Madera, 28, loaded her children into the back of an Oldsmobile van with her brother Steven Madera, 36, before heading to Chicago's Southwest Side and robbing four women at gunpoint.

Prosecutors said Jaclyn Madera drove the van and her brother--who carried a fake gun--"snatched gold necklaces off the necks of his victims as they stood on the street," the Chicago Tribune reports. At least one victim was injured.

The siblings were charged with six counts of armed robbery, since there were children with two of the victims, according to the Sun-Times.

Jaclyn Madera allegedly confessed to the Sept. 9, 11 and 12 robberies after victims identified the duo, the Tribune reports. Steven Madera has reportedly been hospitalized for a skin condition.