Prosecutors: Man disguises as woman to evade capture after Elmhurst armed robbery

ELMHURST, Ill. — Pre-trial release has been denied for a Chicago man accused of robbing another man who had just given him a ride to his apartment complex in Elmhurst on Friday morning.

Bennie Gates, a 19-year-old Auburn Gresham resident, has been charged with one felony count of armed robbery with a firearm, according to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.

Prosecutors said the charge stems from an incident that allegedly unfolded around 7 a.m. when the victim offered to give Gates a ride to the apartment complex from the Chicago Greyhound Bus Station for $40.

According to prosecutors, the victim drove Gates to the Elmhurst Terrace Apartments, but when Gates exited the vehicle, he walked around the car to the driver’s side and pulled a gun from his waistband before telling the driver “You didn’t know I had a gun did you?”

Prosecutors said Gates then allegedly demanded his money back from the driver while holding him at gunpoint and instructed him to remove his suitcase from the trunk of the car.

After the alleged robbery, prosecutors said Gates walked away from the scene, heading eastbound along Fellows Court.

Around 7:09 a.m. Elmhurst officers, who were on patrol near South Berkely Avenue and West St. Charles Road, were flagged down by the victim who informed them that he had just been robbed in the area.

Authorities then began surveilling the apartment complex where Gates was believed to be inside.

According to prosecutors, several hours later, a detective spotted what appeared to be a woman dressed in a bomber jacket, a wig and a beanie leaving the complex to get into an Uber.

The detective followed the Uber and initiated a traffic stop and once they approached the vehicle, prosecutors said the detective could see that the passenger was actually a man disguised as a woman.

Prosecutors said during the traffic stop, gates fled from the Uber on foot, allegedly crossing six lanes of traffic during his escape.

Using a helicopter, K-9 officers and drones, authorities located Gates in a nearby detached garage and he was taken into custody.

“Thanks to the vigilance and outstanding, heads-up work of the Elmhurst Police Department, Mr. Gates’ attempt to disguise himself as a woman did not fool anyone. Thankfully, the victim in this case was not injured,” Berlin said.

During a court appearance, Judge Jeffrey MacKay granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for Gates.

Gates is set to appear in court again on July 29, 2024, for arraignment.

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