Police: Joliet man tries robbing woman at knifepoint at Harrah's casino

JOLIET – A Joliet man allegedly tried to rob a woman at Harrah’s casino by placing a knife to her throat, police said.

On Saturday afternoon, Darryl B. Allen, 56, allegedly approached a 35-year-old woman at the valet entrance to Harrah’s casino, 151 N. Joliet St., placed a knife to her throat and announced he was going to rob her, Joliet Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory said in an email.

Allen had covered his head with a hood, Gregory said, and also covered his face with some sort of mask. Gregory would not say what kind of mask Allen supposedly wore, other than that it was “knit.”

The woman was able to get away from Allen, Gregory said, and she headed to the casino. Her 55-year-old boyfriend then ran after Allen, who retreated from the scene, he said.

While Allen was running north on Joliet Street, he allegedly stopped and lunged at the boyfriend, who dodged the blow and continued to pursue him, Gregory said.

Casino security was able to stop and detain Allen until the police arrived, Gregory said. A knife was allegedly recovered from Allen, he said.

Allen was charged with attempted armed robbery, aggravated battery and aggravated assault. He was booked into the Will County jail and his bond was set at $150,000.