States Attorney
TWO MEN CHARGED IN ARMED ROBBERY
OF PAYDAY LOAN STORE
WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that two men have been charged in the May 10, 2007 armed robbery of a payday loan store located in Lombard. Benjamin Stephens, 35 (d.o.b. 7/23/1972) faces one count of Armed Robbery for the May 10 robbery and his accomplice Arthur Ventir, 40 (d.o.b. 1/25/1967) faces two counts of Armed Robbery, one for the May 10 incident and one for a May 2 robbery at the same location.
The charges allege that in the afternoon of May 10, an armed Stephens entered the payday loan store and demanded money. After the robbery, employees at the store contacted the Police. Detectives from the Villa Park Police Department observed the alleged offenders’ vehicle, allegedly driven by Stephens, and a pursuit ensued. The offenders’ vehicle allegedly crashed into another car and both defendants fled on foot. After a short pursuit on foot, both offenders were apprehended.
“I would like to commend the Villa Park Police Department, particularly Detectives Skolka and Zorich, for their quick apprehension of these two dangerous men,” commented Birkett. “Because of their fine police work and with the assistance of the store employees they were able to get these men off the streets before they could cause any further harm to society.”
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.
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