2 Men Accused In String Of Armed Robberies Across Chicago Suburbs

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — Bond has been set for two men accused in a series of recent robberies at businesses in Batavia, Bartlett and West Chicago, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin, Bartlett Chief of Police Patrick Ullrich and West Chicago Chief of Police Michael Uplegger announced Tuesday. According to a release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Alexzander Butchas, 22, of the 500 block of Foster Avenue, Bartlett, and Jonathan Lopez, 19, of the 400 block of Ann Street, West Chicago, appeared in bond court Tuesday morning where Butchas' bond was set at $300,000 and Lopez's bond was set at $100,000 — both with 10 percent to apply — by Judge George Bakalis.

According to the release, both men have been charged with two counts of felony armed robbery and two counts of felony burglary.

Batavia police officers responded to reported robbery at KL Liquors on Wind Energy Pass on June 12, where an investigation revealed that two men, one of whom was reportedly armed with a baseball bat, are said to have entered the business and forced the clerk to give them an estimated $200 to $250 from the register, according to the release. The men then reportedly stole a bottle of whiskey valued between $270 to $400 and left the store, the state's attorney's office said.

Two days later on June 14 Bartlett police officers responded to a robbery reported at 7-11 on Schick Road, where the men — one reportedly armed with a baseball bat and the other said to be armed with a knife — forced the clerk to give them the money from the cash register before leaving the scene, according to the release.

On June 22, West Chicago police officers responded to a call at Uno Discount Amigo Express on Main Street, where the two men reportedly stole $50 from an employee and forced the employee to open the register, stealing $50 more, officials said. Then on June 30, West Chicago police officers responded to a call at Dunkin Donuts on Neltnor Boulevard for a burglary that was just discovered, where an investigation revealed that two masked men reportedly broke into the store with a crowbar and stole $470, according to the release. It's also reported that the two men burglarized the same Dunkin Donuts a second time on July 8, according to the release.

An investigation into these reported robberies led authorities to Butchas and Lopez, who officials said who were arrested on July 8.

Both men have been charged in DuPage County with armed robbery for the incident at 7-11 in Bartlett on June 14 the Armed Robbery of Uno Discount Amigo Express in West Chicago on June 22, and charged with burglary of the Dunkin Donuts in West Chicago on June 30 and July 8, according to the release.

“It is alleged Mr. Butchas and Mr. Lopez while armed with dangerous weapons robbed numerous businesses over a four-week period,” Berlin said, in the release. “These types of violent offenses will be met with the full force of the law. Their alleged crime spree came to a halt however, thanks to the cooperative efforts between the Bartlett, Batavia and West Chicago Police Departments."

According to the release, Berlin said no one was hurt during the reported "traumatic" incidents.

The next court appearance for both men's arraignments is set for Aug. 2.