Masked Gunmen Nabbed After Robbing Couple Outside Crestwood Bar: Prosecutor

CRESTWOOD, IL -- Three men were arrested after robbing a couple at gunpoint of their phones, money and car keys early Saturday morning n the parking lot of a Crestwood bar and grill, prosecutors said.

Givantae Surratt, of South Holland, and Tajuan Rials, of Harvey, both 19, and a Wisconsin man, Michael Nichols, 23, of Green Bay, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on charges of armed robbery. The three are due in bond court Wednesday in Markham where they are expected to be charged with vehicular hijacking/

According to the charges, a man and woman were sitting in their car in the parking lot of Smokin’ Hot Bar and Grill, 13849 S. Cicero Ave., Crestwood. The man was smoking and his female companion was playing with a phone app around 2 a.m. Feb. 18.

A car drove up and parked next to the couple’s car. The woman apparently knew the people in the car who are considered witnesses. The prosecutor said one of the alleged robbers got out of a black Infinity, wearing a mask and black coat with a fur collar. He allegedly pointed a gun at the man inside his car and demanded him to “give me everything.”

The prosecutor said a second masked man shoved a gun into the woman’s side while he took her wallet and phone. When he tried to grab the woman’s car keys she ran away.

The alleged robbers got back into the Infinity and roared out of the parking lot. Authorities said that when Crestwood police arrived they saw the Infinity, which had been reported stolen in Calumet Park, leaving the scene.

The Infinity was spotted in Blue Island, where it crashed into two Blue Island squad cars, news reports said.

The driver got out of the Infinity and fled on foot. The driver still remains at large. Nichols, Rials and Surratt were still inside the Infinity and were taken into custody, the prosecutor said.

Police found the couple’s wallets and the woman’s car keys inside the Infinity. Nichols had the woman’s cell phone, according to the charges.

Nichols allegedly told police that earlier in the evening, he was with his friends in Calumet Park and knew they planning a carjacking. After his pals stole the car, he claimed he got inside, where they proceeded to Crestwood, the prosecutor said.

Surratt is currently out on bond for residential burglary. He was issued a no-bail warrant for violating bond. Bail for the new case was set at $500,000.

Bail for Riales and Nichols was set at $250,000 each. All three were ordered to surrender FOID cards and firearms to local police.

As the men were led out of the courtroom, one of them became combative and could be heard yelling, “all lies” in the courtroom lock-up.

The three are due back in court March 17 in Bridgeview.