On Monday, Nov. 27, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced that Judge Anthony Coco had granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for two Cook County individuals accused of robbing at gunpoint an Elmhurst 7-Eleven convenience store.
Ditalion Barnett, 27, of the 3500 block of Douglas Blvd., Chicago, and Adyria Moore, 23, of the 300 block of Iroquois Rd., Hillside, each stand charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm, a Class X felony.
On Friday, Nov. 24, at approximately 7:56 p.m., officers with the Elmhurst Police Department responded to a call of an armed robbery at the 7-Eleven store located at 572 S. York Street. Following an investigation, it is alleged that Barnett, wearing a face mask, entered the store, selected a bottled beverage and approached the register. It is alleged that once at the register, Barnett displayed a handgun and told the clerk, “Give me everything,” which the clerk refused to do. It is further alleged that Barnett then told the clerk, “I’m going to shoot you.” It is further alleged that when the clerk again refused Barnett’s commands, Barnett took the beverage and left the store without paying. It is alleged that Barnett then got into a vehicle driven by Moore and fled the scene.
The investigation also found that Barnett and Moore had allegedly planned the robbery with Moore supplying Barnett with the address of the 7-Eleven two days prior to the crime. On Saturday, Nov. 25, Barnett and Moore were located at a Bellwood gas station and taken into custody without incident.
“In DuPage County, we will not stand for the type of violent gun crime alleged in this case,” Berlin said. “This type of criminal behavior has no place in society and will be met with the full force of the law. We are all thankful that the clerk, who was just trying to make an honest living, was not physically harmed. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their outstanding work in identifying and apprehending the defendants in this case as well as the Bellwood Police Department for their assistance.”
“Violent crime will not be tolerated in Elmhurst, and this case is another great example of strong interagency cooperation and our officers’ dedication to hold offenders accountable for crime in our community,” Chief McLean said. “I want to thank the members of the Elmhurst Police Department for their tireless efforts to identify and locate the suspects in this case and the officers of the Bellwood Police Department for their assistance apprehending them; all occurring less than 24 hours later. I also thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their legal guidance in this case.”
The next court appearance for both defendants is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 18, for arraignment. Because the crime was allegedly committed with a handgun, if found guilty, sentencing guidelines require a 15-year enhancement to any sentence imposed by the judge, resulting in a minimum sentence of 21 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
