A Bartlett woman and four male juveniles are facing charges after allegedly robbing a vape shop in Naperville, as announced by the local police. Kelis Kirkland, 18, along with the teens, is accused of making off with roughly $4,400 in goods from the Smoke Area Vape Shop.
Three of the juveniles entered the shop on January 10, while the fourth stood as a lookout, the Naperville Police release details. While there, they jumped the counter, and in the heat of the robbery, one threw a bottle at the store clerk. They were later apprehended by the police, the vape merchandise in tow.
In court proceedings, Judge Joshua Dieden granted Kirkland pre-trial release. Meanwhile, three out of the four juveniles were detained, pending further court action. The fourth was allowed home detention. All are charged with one count of robbery, burglary, and retail theft, per the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
"The allegations that Ms. Kirkland and four juveniles drove to Naperville and violently robbed approximately $4,400 worth of merchandise from a small business are extremely alarming," State's Attorney Robert Berlin stated. He praised the swift capture of the suspects by the Naperville Police. Chief Jason Arres attributed the fast arrests to his officers' 'keen observation and good policework' as well as the support from the State's Attorney's office.
Kirkland is expected back in court on January 29 for arraignment, the detained juveniles will see their day in court on January 16, and the juvenile in home detention will appear on February 22. Authorities caution that current charges are mere allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
