Last Saturday, June 4, two men who were preaching the Gospel outside a Carol Stream apartment building agreed to help a young man by giving him a ride to a nearby store. That young man pulled a gun and forced them into withdrawing $500 from a nearby ATM, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney.
The alleged incident began outside the Gundersen apartments in Carol Stream, where the victim and his friend were preaching when they met the 19-year-old suspect. At some point during their discussion, the victim agreed to give the suspect a ride to a nearby store in Wheaton. While in the parking lot of the store, it is alleged that the suspect pulled out a gun, placed it on his lap and pointed it at the victim with his finger on the trigger.
It is alleged that the suspect then ordered the victim to drive to an ATM in Wheaton and forced the victim to withdraw $400. After the victim gave the suspect the money, he was ordered to return to the ATM to get more money, and another $100 was withdrawn and given to the suspect.
The suspect demand more money be withdrawn, but by the time the victim returned to the ATM, the store was closed. It is alleged that, at this point, the suspect fled on foot.
An investigation into the matter conducted by the Wheaton Police Department resulted in the suspect being taken into custody on June 10, 2022, without incident.
The suspect, who resides in the 600 block of E. Indiana Street in Wheaton, has been charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police William Murphy announced Friday that a $500,000 bond (with 10% to apply) has been set for the suspect.
“Crimes such as alleged in this case, traumatize not only the victim, but leave the entire community on edge, worried for their personal safety,” Berlin said. “In DuPage County we will not tolerate the type of brazen behavior alleged against [the suspect]. I commend the Wheaton Police Department for their efforts in identifying and apprehending…the suspect in this case. It is because of their work that the suspect is facing thirty years behind bars if found guilty of the charges against him. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Denis Cahill and Steven Lupa for their efforts in preparing a strong case against this defendant.”
The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 27, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.
