Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police Princeton Youker have announced that Judge Robert Douglas has approved the State's request to detain a Chicago man, Elliot Thomas, before his trial. Thomas, aged 38, is accused of robbing a Wheaton AutoZone at gunpoint. He appeared in court charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm, classified as a Class X Felony.

The incident occurred on November 4, 2024, when Wheaton police responded to reports of an armed man at the AutoZone on East Roosevelt Road. Investigations revealed that Thomas allegedly took a Duralast torque socket set worth $25.99 from the store. When confronted by an employee outside the store after activating security sensors, he allegedly threatened her by showing a loaded Stoeger STR-9 pistol from his bag before fleeing in a Chevy Tahoe.

Glen Ellyn police soon located Thomas and conducted a traffic stop where they reportedly found the weapon and stolen item in his possession. Thomas was subsequently taken into custody.

Berlin commented on the case: “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.” He emphasized that such violent crimes will be met with strict legal action and expressed relief that no physical harm came to the employee involved.

Chief Youker credited technology and teamwork for the swift capture of Thomas: “Through our officer’s efforts, we were able to ascertain the direction of travel of Mr. Thomas' vehicle after the alleged armed robbery was reported.”

Thomas is scheduled for arraignment on December 2, 2024, before Judge Mia McPherson. If convicted, he could face between twenty-one to forty-five years in prison.

The public is reminded that charges are not proof of guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.