Armed Robbers Charged With Multiple Felonies; Denied Bond.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Lisle Acting Chief of Police Ron Wilke announced today that bond has been denied for two cousins accused of robbing at gunpoint approximately sixty cell phones and other electronics from a Lisle Verizon store. Ezekiel Thompson, 24 (d.o.b. 4/25/1995) of 110 E Grant Street, Streator, and Arron Thompson 24, (d.o.b. 7/26/1995) of 3517 Frontenac Court, Aurora, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge George Bakalis ordered both men to be held without bond. The men have each been charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Kidnapping (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Defacing Identification Marks of Firearms (Class 3 Felony).
It is alleged that at approximately 6:48 p.m., February 1, 2020, Ezekiel and Arron Thompson, armed and wearing hoods and masks over their faces, entered the Verizon store located at 1104 Ogden Avenue. It is alleged that once inside the store, the men pointed their weapons at the lone store employee and ordered him to the back of the store where he was ordered to open a vault containing cellular telephones. It is further alleged that the men ordered the store employee at gunpoint to fill a duffel bag with cellular telephones and other electronics. It is alleged that after the employee complied, the men bound the employee’s arms and legs with zip ties, stole his wallet and car keys and took the duffel bag with them as they fled the scene in the employee’s car which they stole from the parking lot. An investigation into the matter led by the Lisle Police Department with assistance from the Woodridge, Downers Grove and Darien Police Departments led to the men who were allegedly located in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Woodridge. It is alleged that at this time the men abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot. They were both taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
“It is alleged that these two men armed themselves, disguised their identity and threatened at gunpoint a store employee just trying to make an honest living,” Berlin said. “As demonstrated with the quick apprehension of these suspects, brazen acts of violence as alleged in this case, will attract the full force of DuPage County law enforcement. The cooperation between the agencies involved sends the message that anyone who commits such a crime in DuPage County will quickly find themselves behind bars facing very serious charges and a significant amount of time removed from society. I would like to thank the Lisle, Woodridge, Downers Grove and Darien Police Departments for their exemplary work in this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Steven Lupa for his efforts in preparing a strong case against these two defendants.”
“The Lisle Police Department, along with assistance from the Woodridge and Downers Grove Police Departments, showed once again that violent crime is not acceptable in DuPage County,” Wilke said. “The teamwork displayed during this arrest highlights the tenacity and professionalism of our police officers. With guidance from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, a strong message has been sent that DuPage County Law Enforcement is not going to tolerate this behavior”
Because it is alleged that the men were armed with a gun, if found guilty, each defendant faces an automatic fifteen-year enhancement to his sentence. The next court appearance for both Ezekiel and Arron Thompson is scheduled for February 28, 2020, in front of Judge Brian Telander for arraignment.
Lisle Mayor Christopher Pecak thanked the Lisle, Woodridge and Downers Grove Police Departments for their vigilance, persistence and quick action as well as the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their aggressive prosecution of such a heinous crime noting that their work “sends a strong message that crime will not be tolerated in Lisle and DuPage County.”
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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