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Bond was denied Wednesday for a Bensenville man suspected in a string of DuPage County armed robberies who has been on parole for less than one year following an armed robbery conviction out of Cook County.
Marquelle Williams, 38, of the 600 block of South York Road, has been charged with three counts of armed robbery with a firearm, four counts of armed habitual criminal and two counts of aggravated unlawful restraint, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office news release.
Because the defendant is extended-term eligible, he faces a penalty of between 21 and 60 years in the prison if convicted.
On Jan. 7, Wood Dale Police responded to a call of an armed robbery at the 7-Eleven located at 311 E. Irving Park Road. Police found the female store clerk with a black zip tie still on her arm, the release stated.
At 12:42 p.m., a man with dreadlocks, later identified as Williams, allegedly entered the 7-Eleven store, selected an item to purchase and approached the counter. After completing the purchase, Williams allegedly brandished a gun with an extended magazine, walked behind the counter and told the clerk to open two cash registers, which she did.
Williams allegedly took about $1,033 in cash totaling approximately $1,033 from the registers. He ordered the clerk to lay on the ground and he secured her hands behind her with a zip tie he brought with him. He then fled the store.
During the investigation, police learned that a similar robbery took place Dec. 19, at a Lombard 7-Eleven located at 2S651 Lloyd Ave. In this incident, a man, later identified as Williams, allegedly entered the store at about 3:05 a.m., went behind the sales counter and told the clerk “do what you’re told and you won’t get hurt” as he pulled out a gun with an extended magazine.
Williams allegedly demanded access to two cash registers and took approximately $500 from the registers. He ordered the clerk to lay on his stomach at which time Williams struck the clerk two times in the shoulder area before tying his arms behind his back. Williams then fled the store with the cash and 55 packs of cigarettes, according to the release.
The investigation into the Wood Dale incident revealed a similar robbery in Addison that took place Jan. 28. At approximately 10 p.m., a man with dreadlocks, later identified as Williams, allegedly entered the Speedway gas station located at 701 E. Lake Street, poured himself a cup of coffee and approached the front counter.
He allegedly walked behind the counter, displayed a gun and told the clerk to open the register. As the clerk attempted to open the register, Williams allegedly shoved the gun into her waist and told her “Do you want to die? Open the drawer and give me all the money.”
After the clerk opened the register and gave Williams the money, he ordered her to open the safe. When the clerk told Williams she could not, he allegedly again put the gun to her waist and asked her multiple times if she wanted to die. Williams allegedly ordered the clerk to put cigarettes into a bag and then fled the store.
On Feb. 9, a search warrant executed at Williams’ residence yielded a gun with an extended magazine, which appeared to be the same weapon used in all the robberies, ammunition, zip ties, a dreadlock wig and clothing and shoes believed to be worn by the offender in the robberies.
“It is alleged that Mr. Williams’ two-month violent crime spree terrorized DuPage County residents and businesses as he went from town to town committing armed robberies,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “The number of resources dedicated to the apprehension of Mr. Williams sends the message that we will use every tool at our disposal to hold those who commit violent crimes, as alleged in this case, responsible for their actions. Mr. William’s alleged crime spree was put to an end however, thanks to the outstanding, cooperative efforts of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, the Addison, Wood Dale, Bensenville, Elmhurst and Schiller Park police departments, the DuPage CountyMetropolitan Emergency Response & Investigation Team (MERIT) and the DuPage County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (DuMEG).”
“I am extremely proud of the Detectives handling this case,” Wood Dale Deputy Chief of Police William Frese said in the release. “From the date that this occurred to the day of the arrest, they worked continuously, gathering enough evidence to put an end to Mr. Williams alleged crimes throughout the western suburbs. I also cannot express the gratitude that we have for all of the other agencies involved in this case from beginning to end. Without the resources provided, we would not have come to such a quick resolution in this case.”
“The safety and security that we enjoy in DuPage County does not happen by accident,” DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said in the release. “It requires cooperation between all our law enforcement agencies, as illustrated in this case. I would like to thank all of our partners in law enforcement for their contributions which led to the apprehension and charging of Mr. Williams.”
“I would like to thank all the law enforcement agencies involved in this case, particularly the State’s Attorney’s Office,” Addison Chief of Police Bill Hayden said in the release. “DuPage County remains one of the safest places to live in the country because of their efforts to protect our citizens by administering a full measure of justice to those who would prey upon society.”