Chicago Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery of Roselle Gas Station

Jerry Thomas Jr., 18 of Chicago, was free on bond after allegedly committing a criminal trespass to a vehicle in Cook County. After being released on that charge, Thomas traveled to DuPage County and committed a violent armed robbery of a gas station in Roselle.

Bond Set at $850,000 for Chicago Man Charged with Robbing Roselle Shell gas station at Gunpoint

Defendant currently out on bond for alleged Criminal Trespass to Vehicle in Cook County

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Roselle Chief of Police Steve Herron announced today that bond has been set for a Chicago man accused robbing a Roselle gas Station at gunpoint. Jerry Thomas Jr., 18 (d.o.b. 9/8/2001) of 4822 N. Magnolia Avenue, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Anne Celine Walsh set bond at $850,000 with 10% to apply. Thomas has been charged with one count of Armed Robbery (Class X Felony) and one count of Aggravated Robbery (Class 1 Felony).

On April 11, 2020, at approximately 9:45 p.m., a Roselle police officer on patrol received a call of an armed robbery that occurred at the Shell gas station located on Lake Street near Gary Avenue, approximately five hundred feet away from the officer’s current location. A second officer arrived moments later and observed a male, later identified as Thomas, running near the Shell station. The officer ordered Thomas to stop but he ignored the officer’s command. Within ten minutes, a Hanover Park police officer found Thomas hiding underneath a van in the parking lot of a nearby hotel. Thomas allegedly had a mask and approximately $180 on him when he was apprehended. Officers also found a magazine with 9mm ammunition between the Shell gas station and the hotel parking lot as well as cash on the ground. Additionally, officers found a pistol wedged underneath the van that Thomas was allegedly hiding under when he was apprehended. It is alleged that a masked Thomas and two male accomplices entered the Shell station at which time Thomas jumped over the counter, went to a side room where the clerk was, grabbed the clerk and forced the clerk at gunpoint to open two cash registers. It is alleged that Thomas then removed money from both of the registers totaling approximately $300. It is further alleged that one of Thomas’ accomplices stole cigarettes from the gas station while and the other waited by the door. It is alleged that the three men then exited the store. Thomas’ alleged accomplices were not apprehended at this time and an investigation into the matter continues. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Roselle Police Department at (630) 980-2025.

“It is alleged that Mr. Thomas, while out on bond, traveled to DuPage County, threatened a clerk at gunpoint and stole approximately three hundred dollars from a Roselle gas station,” Berlin said. “The charges filed in this case send the message that despite the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home order, the police and State’s Attorney’s Office continue to protect the public and anyone who commits a violent crime in DuPage County will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Thankfully, the clerk was not injured during Mr. Thomas’ alleged criminal activity. I would like to thank the Roselle and Hanover Park Police Departments for the extremely quick apprehension of the defendant in this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Grace Barsanti for her efforts in securing charges against Mr. Thomas.”

“This is just one example of what a great job our police officers do every day,” Chief Herron said. “The actions in this case shown by our Roselle Officers and the Hanover Park Police officers show their dedication to assuring our communities remain safe.”

Thomas’ next court appearance is scheduled for May 11, 2020, for arraignment in front of Judge Anne Celine Walsh. He is currently out on bond on a March 26, 2020, Criminal Trespass to Vehicle out of Cook County.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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