TWO TAXICAB DRIVERS CHARGED IN LOMBARD ARMED ROBBERY

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett today announced that charges have been filed against two taxicab drivers in connection with the October 9 armed robbery of a Lombard man outside his home.

             David Abdulkarim, 18 (d.o.b. 03/03/1989) of 920 W. Lakeside, Chicago and Charles Barrett, 38 (d.o.b. 07/09/1969) of 1624 Washington Street, Evanston each face one count of Armed Robbery in connection with the incident.

             It is alleged that in the morning hours of October 9, the victim arranged for a taxicab, driven by Abdulkarim, to bring him on some errands and return him to his home.  Upon his return however, it is further alleged that the victim was met outside his home by Barrett who demanded money.  A struggle allegedly ensued between Barrett and his victim at which time Barrett allegedly pulled a knife on his victim and then fled the scene with money he took from the victim.  An investigation into the matter led by the Lombard Police Department revealed that after dropping the victim off at his home, Abdulkarim allegedly contacted Barrett, a fellow taxicab driver, and told him that the passenger he had just dropped off may have a significant amount of money.  It is further alleged that Abdulkarim told Barrett the address where he had dropped off the victim. 

              “If these allegations are proven true, these two men worked in concert to brazenly rob an innocent, unsuspecting man,” commented Birkett.  “I would like to thank the Lombard Police Department, particularly Detective Janet Myerson and Assistant State’s Attorney Ingrid Nierman for their excellent work in bringing these men to justice.  I would also like to thank the Evanston Police Department for their assistance in apprehending Mr. Barrett.”

             Adbulkarim was taken into custody shortly after the incident and is currently awaiting a bond hearing.    Barrett was arrested by Evanston police later that afternoon and is being held on a $100,000 bond with 10% to apply. 

             Armed Robbery is a Class X Felony punishable by a sentence of between six and thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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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