DuPage prosecutor offers cautionary tale: No bond for 2 Chicago men accused of armed robbery

Reginald Allen, left; Lennel Owens Photo credit DuPage County

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The DuPage County State’s Attorney appears to be putting would-be criminals on notice that things are a little different in the western suburbs.

Robert Berlin on Tuesday made special note that separate state court judges — Brian Telander and Ann Celine O’Hallaren – this week ordered two Chicago men held without bond on charges of armed robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and other felonies in connection with the stickup of a Lombard convenience store over the weekend.

Lennel Owens, 46, and 53-year-old Reginald Allen allegedly robbed a 7-Eleven Saturday evening at gunpoint and made off with $200 in cash, 33 cartons of cigarettes and an employee’s cell phone.

Lombard police officers attempted to pull over the pair’s getaway vehicle, but the driver, Owens, led authorities on a chase and at one point traveled at more than 80 mph in a 35 mph zone, prosecutors said. Other agencies, including the Illinois State Police and Chicago Police Department, offered resources during the pursuit before Owens reportedly crashed into a tree on 74th Avenue in Elmwood Park.

Both suspects and a third, unidentified individual were taken into custody. With a search warrant, authorities found a loaded handgun, cigarette cartons and cash in the vehicle, officials said.

Berlin’s office has recently made a point of showing how aggressively police, prosecutors and judges deal with violent offenders in DuPage County. It arguably could be read as a dig at Cook County, where the court system has been criticized for being too lenient for people accused of similar crimes.

“For the third time in as many days, bond was denied for a defendant accused of committing a violent crime in DuPage County,” Berlin said in a news release issued Tuesday. “These types of crimes are extremely serious and consequently those accused of such will experience the full force of the law from apprehension through prosecution.”

Owens and Allen, if convicted, potentially face decades behind bars, officials said.