Court Grants State’s Motion to Detain Chicago Man Charged with Robbing Wheaton AutoZone

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police Princeton Youker announced today that Judge Robert Douglas has granted the State's motion to detain pre-trial a Chicago man accused of robbing a Wheaton AutoZone at gunpoint. Elliot Thomas, 38, of the 3400 block of West Monroe Street, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony.

On November 4, 2024, Wheaton police officers responded to a call of a man with a gun at the AutoZone located at 809 E. Roosevelt Road. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that an individual, later identified as Thomas, entered the AutoZone, selected a Duralast torque socket set valued at $25.99 and exited the building. It is alleged that when Thomas exited the store, he activated the door security sensors, at which time a female employee asked him to come back in the store.

It is further alleged that the employee followed Thomas outside the store and again asked him to return to the store. It is further alleged that Thomas initially ignored the employee's request but then turned to the employee and told her in a threatening manner "you don't wanna know what I have in here." It is alleged that Thomas then unzipped a cross-body bag he had on his person and showed the employee a pistol, later determined to be a loaded Stoeger STR-9, 9 mm pistol, with a 15-round magazine.

It is alleged that Thomas then got into a 2002 Chevy Tahoe and fled the scene. Glen Ellyn Police located Thomas within minutes and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, during which officers allegedly found the loaded weapon inside the cross-body bag and the Duralast socket set inside the vehicle. Thomas was taken into custody at this time.

"It is alleged that Mr. Thomas not only stole merchandise from an AutoZone but then threatened an employee with a loaded weapon when she confronted him," Berlin said. "This type of violent crime will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. We are all thankful that the employee was not physically hurt during this alleged incident. I commend the Wheaton Police Department for their quick response to the initial call and for their continuing efforts in protecting our businesses and residents alike. I thank the Glen Ellyn Police Department for their heads-up work in locating the defendant within minutes of the alleged robbery as well as Assistant State's Attorneys Michael McBride and Andrew Poncer for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Thomas."

"Technology and teamwork led to the swift apprehension of Mr. Thomas," Chief Youker said. "Through our officers' efforts, we were able to ascertain the direction of travel of Mr. Thomas' vehicle after the alleged armed robbery was reported. With the assistance of the Glen Ellyn Police Department, we located, stopped and arrested Mr. Thomas. I would like to thank our patrol officers for their quick response and decisive actions, the Glen Ellyn Police Department for their efforts in locating Mr. Thomas, and State's Attorney Bob Berlin's office for reviewing the case and approving the armed robbery charge."

Thomas' next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson. If found guilty, Thomas faces a sentence of between 21 to 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Notice to Public: The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant's guilt. Constitutionally, 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.

Elliot Thomas

of Chicago