NEW LENOX, IL — New Lenox police on Monday arrested a Chicago man in connection with an armed robbery at a New Lenox Verizon store on Saturday, police said.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, shortly before 10:30 a.m., New Lenox police officers responded to an armed robbery at the Verizon store. As an employee was opening the business, a vehicle pulled up, and three suspects armed with handguns confronted the employee and demanded cellular phones.
Through investigative efforts and using Flock cameras, officers were able to determine and track the suspect vehicle fleeing east through town. Providing that information through ISPERN (Illinois State Police Radio Network), Harvey police located the offending vehicle and were able to provide information on a second vehicle the suspects entered after abandoning that first car in Harvey.
The suspects fled and were tracked to a location in Chicago, where New Lenox Police, with the assistance of Chicago Police SWAT, were able to find and apprehend multiple suspects.
New Lenox police detectives located five suspects, who were taken into custody.
On Monday, Oct. 12, New Lenox police secured an arrest warrant for Dreyone Dyer, 21, of Chicago.
Detectives investigating the incident recovered five firearms, including one that had been altered to function as a fully automatic weapon, 74 stolen cellular phones, and two stolen vehicles, police said.
Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, the Will County State's Attorney's Office approved charges against Dreyone Dyer for armed robbery, a Class X felony. Dyer was processed at the New Lenox Police Department and transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.
During the investigation, detectives also encountered Niquan Candler and learned that he had an active warrant out of Livingston County. Candler, 27, was processed and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility to await transfer to Livingston County, in connection with that warrant.
At this time, the remaining individuals have not been charged in connection with the armed robbery, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Illinois' SAFE-T Act changed pretrial detention and release procedures, requiring law enforcement and prosecutors to navigate strict timelines while gathering evidence and determining appropriate charges, police said.
"These requirements can create additional challenges in complex investigation where critical evidence takes time to develop," police said. "Further, the New Lenox Police Department recognizes the serious concerns surrounding repeat arrests and accountability within the criminal justice system."
The five suspects taken into custody are all in their 20s, police note, and have a combined history of 17 arrests and 9 convictions, including offenses involving weapons, robbery, and drugs amongst other arrests, according to a release.
"This raises concerns about accountability within our criminal justice system. We are fortunate to be working with the Will County State's Attorney's Office and as additional evidence develops, the NLPD will continue working closely with them to review the facts and pursue any additional charges supported by the evidence and applicable law. However, the absence of charges at this stage does not mean this investigation is over."
Detectives continue to follow leads, examine evidence, and develop additional information related to this incident, police said.
"The New Lenox Police Department remains confident in the investigative work conducted to date and is committed to pursuing every appropriate avenue supported by the evidence," according to the release.
We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Will County State's Attorney's Office. As additional evidence develops, detectives will continue working closely with prosecutors to review the facts and pursue any further charges supported by the evidence and applicable law.
We would like to recognize and thank the officers and detectives who have worked tirelessly on this investigation. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to pursuing the facts reflect the hard work and service our community expects and deserves from its law enforcement officers.New Lenox Police Department
"To our community, please know that we are not done," Police Chief Micah Nuesse said in a release. "This investigation remains active, and we will continue working with the Will County State's Attorney's Office as evidence develops. Our commitment to holding those responsible accountable does not end with an initial charging decision. Our responsibility is to protect the community we proudly serve, and we will continue working toward that goal."
The investigation remains ongoing.
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