Bail Set at $3.5 Million for Gunman in ‘Brazen’ Kidnapping of Wheaton College Student

GLEN ELLYN, IL - Bond has been set at $3.5 million for the alleged gunman in the ‘brazen’ kidnapping of a Wheaton College student last month, prosecutors said Friday.

Jeremy Jones, 23, of 319 Washington Street in Elgin, appeared in bond court in DuPage County on Friday morning. Jones has been charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping, class x felonies; two counts of armed robbery, a class x felony, one count of armed violence, a class x felony; and one count of aggravated robbery, a class 1 felony, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office press release.

Jones is the third of three men arrested in connection with the kidnapping after the student was taken on the morning of Friday, Aug. 26, as he left a Starbucks. Two men rushed him, told him they'd shoot him, and forced him into a SUV, police said. Jones was allegedly armed with a handgun the duo approached the student.

"He had just left Starbucks with a cup of coffee in his hand," said DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin at a press conference outside the courthouse.

The three suspects drove the student to several ATMs and ordered him to withdraw more than $1,500 from his account. They then drove him to Chicago and at about 11:37 a.m., released him. The thieves left the student with $20 and his iPhone, police said. Upon his release, the student immediately called 911.

Authorities arrested Abeet Ramos, 18, of 930 W. Spring Street in South Elgin, on Aug. 30. He has been charged with aggravated kidnapping, a class x felony, armed robbery, a class x felony and aggravated unlawful restraint, a class 3 felony. He remains in custody on a $3 million bail and is next expected in court on Sept. 26.

A couple days later, police arrested a 17-year-old boy. His identity is not being released because he is a juvenile. The teen is charged with two counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count of armed robbery, all of which are class x felonies. He also remains in custody and is next expected in court on Oct 12, prosecutors said Friday.

“Thanks to the hard work of several law enforcement agencies, including the Elgin and Glen Ellyn Police Departments, all three men suspected in a brazen kidnapping have been detained,” Berlin said. “I would especially like to thank the Chicago Police Department for their outstanding work in locating and apprehending Mr. Jones. As a result of the cooperative efforts of all these agencies, these three men will now have to answer the allegations against them.”