Bartlett Woman, Four Juveniles Charged With Robbing Naperville Vape Store

An 18-year-old woman and four juveniles have been charged with robbery in connection with the theft of approximately $4,400 worth of merchandise from a Naperville vape store.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced yesterday that a Bartlett woman is charged with one count of Robbery, a Class 2 Felony. Her co-defendants, four juvenile males ages fourteen, sixteen, seventeen and seventeen, are each charged with one count of Robbery (Class 2 Felony), one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony).

In First Appearance Court, Judge Joshua Dieden denied the State’s motion to detain the adult suspect pre-trial. Each juvenile appeared at their detention hearing yesterday afternoon where three of the four were detained until at least their next court appearance. The remaining juvenile was released to the custody of his family on home detention.

According to police, on Wednesday at approximately 8:00pm, three of the juveniles entered the Smoke Area Vape Shop located at 1570 West Ogden Avenue as the fourth juvenile held the door open. It is alleged that the three juveniles jumped over the counter and filled three bags with approximately $4,400 worth of merchandise. When the clerk at the shop attempted to fend off the juveniles, one of them threw a bottle of vape syrup at him, striking him in the chest. The four juveniles then left the store with the merchandise, entered a vehicle driven by the adult suspect and fled the scene.

Approximately five minutes later, a Naperville police officer located the vehicle near River Road and West Jefferson Avenue and conducted a traffic stop. Inside, the officers located three backpacks filled with vape merchandise allegedly stolen from the vape shop. All five defendants were taken into custody at this time.

“The allegations that [the adult suspect] and four juveniles drove to Naperville and violently robbed approximately $4,400 worth of merchandise from a small business are extremely alarming,” Berlin said. “The quick apprehension of the suspects in this case is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of the Naperville Police Department and should serve as a reminder to anyone thinking of committing a crime in DuPage County that if you do, you will arrested, charged and prosecuted.”

The adult suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 29, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh. The next court appearance for the detained juveniles is scheduled for January 16, 2024. The next court appearance for the released juvenile is scheduled for February 22, 2024.