DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that bond has been set for a Bellwood man accused of stealing approximately $1,250 from an Elmhurst cigar shop. Michael Cooper, 29 (d.o.b. 5/2/1989) of 528 Englewood Avenue, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge John Kinsella set bond at $50,000 with 10% to apply. Cooper has been charged with one count of Aggravated Robbery, a Class 1 Felony.
At approximately 8:12 p.m., December 3, 2018, Elmhurst Police responded to a call of a robbery in progress at the Old Havana Cigar Shop located at 189 E Butterfield Road. Upon their arrival, the suspect had already fled the scene. An investigation into the matter led police to Cooper who was taken into custody later that evening near his mother’s home following a brief foot chase. It is alleged that Cooper, armed with a BB gun, entered the business and handed the clerk a note which read “keep calm, give me the money. I don’t want to kill you.” It is alleged that the clerk, believing the gun to be real, gave Cooper approximately $1,250 from the register and that Cooper then fled the scene.
“It is alleged that Mr. Cooper armed himself, traveled to DuPage County, threatened a man trying to make an honest living and stole more than $1,200 from the Old Havana Cigar Shop,” Berlin said. “This type of brazen behavior will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force and effect of the law. Through the outstanding efforts of the Elmhurst Police Department, Mr. Cooper was identified and apprehended a short time later. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Nick Catizone for his efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Cooper.”
Cooper’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 3, 2019, in front of Judge Kinsella for arraignment.
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.
