Cook County Men Commit Armed Vehicular Hijacking in Lombard; Quickly Apprehended and Charged

Lombard - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Roy Newton announced today that bond has been set for two Cook County men accused of hijacking at gunpoint a Cadillac SUV from a man while he was in line at a Lombard McDonald’s drive through. Dallas Dabney, 25 (d.o.b. 6/16/1994) of 1928 S. 15th Avenue, Broadview, and Antonio Protho, 19 (d.o.b. 3/5/2001) of 3501 W. Adams, Chicago, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge John Kinsella set bond at $250,000 with 10% to apply for each. Each man has been charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class X Felony). Protho has also been charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony). The State asked for no bond for both Dabney and Protho.

On April 23, 2020 at approximately 2:46 a.m., Lombard police officers responded to the McDonald’s restaurant located at 300 E. Roosevelt Road for an alleged armed robbery that just occurred. Through the course of their investigation, officers learned that the victim was in line at the drive through window when two males, both armed with guns and wearing ski masks, later identified as Dabney and Protho, allegedly exited the vehicle directly behind the victim and approached his vehicle. It is further alleged that Protho then pointed a gun at the victim and ordered him out of the vehicle, which the victim did. It is further alleged that Dabney and Protho then got into the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene with Protho driving. It is further alleged that vehicle in line behind the victim, driven by an unknown accomplice, pulled away and fled the scene as well. While the responding officer was at the scene, another officer with the Lombard Police Department observed the allegedly stolen vehicle driving eastbound on Roosevelt Road at a high rate of speed. A brief pursuit of the vehicle, during which speeds approached 100 mph, was terminated for officer safety. A short time later the same vehicle was involved in a crash at Roosevelt Road and the I-290 ramp following a brief pursuit by officers with the Elmhurst Police Department. Dabney was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. The alleged driver of the vehicle, Protho, was located about an hour and a half later by officers with the Oakbrook Police Department. Two guns were recovered. An investigation into the matter continues and anyone with information is asked to call the Lombard Police Department at (630) 873-4400.

“The allegations that these two men traveled to DuPage County, ordered a man out of his vehicle at gunpoint while he waited in line for food and then stole his vehicle are outrageous,” Berlin said. “The quick apprehension of these men however, sends the message that even in these extremely trying times, law enforcement in DuPage County is functioning at one hundred percent and anyone who commits such a brazen act will be quickly caught and find themselves facing serious charges. I would like to thank the Lombard, Elmhurst and Oak Brook Police Departments for their outstanding cooperative work on this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Heather Misura and Helen Kapas for their efforts in securing charges against these two defendants.”

“The fact that these offenders allegedly committed such a brazen crime that placed citizens and numerous officers in harm’s way is unconscionable,” Newton said. “I thank our officers and officers from surrounding communities that assisted in this long investigation.”

Both Dabney’s and Protho’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 19, 2020, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

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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