By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
Lombard police officers responded to the McDonald’s restaurant at 300 E. Roosevelt Road on Thursday, April 23 on the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers learned that a victim had been in line at the drive-thru window when two males armed with guns and wearing ski masks reportedly approached the victim’s Cadillac SUV, pointed a gun at the victim and ordered the driver to exit, which he did.
The two suspects, identified later as Dallas Dabney, 25, of Broadview, and Antonio Protho, 19, of Chicago, fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle with Protho driving, police said. It is further alleged that vehicle in line behind the victim, driven by an unknown accomplice, pulled away and fled the scene as well. While the responding officer was at the scene, another Lombard officer observed the allegedly stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on Roosevelt Road at a high rate of speed. A brief pursuit of the vehicle, during which speeds approached 100 mph according to police, was terminated for officer safety.
The Elmhurst Police Department joined the chase of the same vehicle short time later until the suspects were involved in a crash at Roosevelt Road and the I-290 ramp. Dabney was taken into custody following a brief foot pursuit. The alleged driver of the vehicle, Protho, was located about an hour and a half later by officers with the Oak Brook Police Department. Two guns were recovered.
On Friday, April 24, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that the two Cook County men appeared in Bond Court where Judge John Kinsella set bond at $250,000 with 10% to apply for each. Each man has been charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class X Felony). Protho has also been charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony). The State asked that no bond be given for neither Dabney nor Protho.
“The allegations that these two men traveled to DuPage County, ordered a man out of his vehicle at gunpoint while he waited in line for food and then stole his vehicle are outrageous,” Berlin said. “The quick apprehension of these men however, sends the message that even in these extremely trying times, law enforcement in DuPage County is functioning at 100 percent and anyone who commits such a brazen act will be quickly caught and find themselves facing serious charges. I would like to thank the Lombard, Elmhurst and Oak Brook Police Departments for their outstanding cooperative work on this case.”
An investigation into the matter continues and anyone with information is asked to call the Lombard Police Department at (630) 873-4400.
Both Dabney’s and Protho’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 19, 2020, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt.
