A 19-year-old man from Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood, Bennie Gates, was denied pre-trial release after being charged with a Class X felony count of armed robbery with a firearm, as per the DuPage County State’s Attorney's Office. In the early morning hours of July 5th, Gates is alleged to have robbed a man at gunhead in Elmhurst following a ride from the Chicago Greyhound Bus Station which the victim had provided for $40, a service now rewarded with a stark betrayal and a demand for the fare's return while the barrel of a gun urged compliance.
The incident reportedly unfolded around 7 a.m. outside the Elmhurst Terrace Apartments, the Chicago Tribune detailed whereafter Gates is accused of brandishing a weapon and instructing the victim to retrieve his own suitcase from the trunk, only minutes later Elmhurst officers patrolling nearby South Berkely Avenue and West St. Charles Road were alerted by the victim about the alleged armed robbery.
Following the alleged incident, authorities began monitoring an apartment complex where Gates was believed to be hiding, and several hours later, a detective observed an individual disguised as a woman, complete with a wig and a beanie, getting into an Uber, as detailed by the WGN-TV report. This disguise did not, however, prevent his subsequent traffic stop and attempted flight by Gates who allegedly ran from the detective, crossing six lanes of alleys and streets; police utilized a helicopter, K-9 officers, and drones to locate Gates hunkered in a nearby detached garage.
"It is alleged that Mr. Gates robbed at gunpoint an innocent man who had just given him a ride back from Chicago," State's Attorney Robert Berlin stated, underscoring the gravity of the act, while Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean commended the diligent and vigilant efforts of the police officers engaged in the extended ten-hour containment and arrest operation, their efforts exemplifying the unwavering duty to maintain public safety in Elmhurst. Gates is now scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on July 29, as both sources confirm.
