Felon With 14 Prior Convictions Accused of Grabbing Off-Duty Chicago Cop's Gun

BEDFORD PARK, IL -- A man with fourteen prior felony convictions was arrested when he tried to grab an off-duty Chicago police officer’s gun at a Bedford Park eyeglasses store, prosecutors said.

Donnell Roberts, 52, of Chicago, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on a felony charge of attempting to disarm a peace officer. He was also charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest and retail theft.

According to the charges, Roberts entered the America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses Store, 7250 S. Cicero Ave., Bedford Park, around 6:28 p.m. March 28. An off-duty Chicago police officer was inside the store receiving an eye exam, when he saw Roberts walk over to a display of eyeglass frames.

Roberts allegedly took three pairs of eyeglass frames from the display and put them into a bag with a theft shielding device. The police officer put on his badge and confronted Roberts.

The prosecutor said Roberts put out his hands and pushed the officer’s chest, when the officer felt Roberts trying to grab his gun. Roberts told the officer to let him go, then ran into a back room where he allegedly fled through the business’s rear door.

Roberts was detained by a railroad officer, who held him until Bedford Park police arrived. The off-duty Chicago police officer positively identified Roberts in a showup, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said he counted 14 prior felony convictions, most for retail theft, as well as escape and drug charges. Roberts is currently on parole for retail theft and escape from electronic monitoring. He also has pending misdemeanor case out of Orland Park for possession of a theft shielding device.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Roberts is a Navy veteran and the father of four children.

The judge set bail at $250,000. He denied Roberts’ request for drug treatment in jail.