Man Bound Workers, Robbed Wheaton Sprint Store At Gunpoint: Cops

WHEATON, IL — A Calumet City man is being held without bond after he was accused of robbing a Sprint store in Wheaton's Danada Square West shopping center. Police say Denzel Furnace, 20, came into the Sprint store around 8 p.m. Friday with a semi-automatic gun, ordered an employee to tie up two other employees before tying up that employee and stealing $40,000 in merchandise.

According to DuPage County State's Attorney's office, Furnace was wearing a mask and medical gloves when he came into the store and demanded that two employees get into the back storage room. A third employee and the store safe were both in the back room, police say.

Furnace is accused of forcing an employee at gunpoint to tie up their two coworkers with duct tape before tying up the third employee himself. Police say Furnace ordered an employee to open the safe and then stole 58 items before placing duct tape over the eyes and mouths of the three workers.

Furnace is further accused of fleeing the scene and then returning to pick up some stolen items he dropped. After an investigation, he was arrested in Lansing Monday.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "It is alleged that Mr. Furance armed himself, disguised his identity and terrorized three individuals just trying to make an honest living. With the holiday season fast approaching, we will do whatever we can to keep store employees and shoppers safe and anyone suspected of this type of brazen behavior will be met with the full force and effect of the law."

Furnace was charged with one count of armed robbery and three counts of aggravated unlawful restraint. If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in jail. He is set to appear in court again on Dec. 5.