DuPage County State’s Attorney
June 12, 2021
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Mike Rivas announced today that bond has been set for a Villa Park man accused robbing at gunpoint a 711 convenience store. Cortez Shields, 21 (d.o.b. 9/4/1999) of the 400 block of N. 3rd Street, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Susan Alvarado set bond at $350,000 with 10% to apply. Shields has been charged with one count of Armed Robbery, a Class X Felony.
On May 13, 2021, at approximately 10:01 PM, a 9-1-1 emergency received a call from the clerk at the 711 convenience store located at 610 N. Addison Road stating that the store had been robbed by two armed individuals. It is alleged that at approximately 9:58 p.m., Shields and another individual entered the store armed and wearing masks and gloves. It is alleged that as the clerk spoke with one of the individuals, the other individual, later determined to be Shields, walked up to him behind the counter with a handgun in his hand. It is alleged that Shields pointed the gun at the clerk and ordered him to open the cash drawer. It is alleged that the clerk opened the drawer and Shields took the money out of the drawer. It is further alleged that Shields ordered the clerk to open a second cash drawer and when he did, Shields again took the money from the drawer. It is alleged that after taking the money, both Shields and his accomplice fled the scene. An investigation into the crime conducted by the Villa Park Police Department led to Shields who was taken into custody on June 10 while officers were investigating a report of a man with a gun at Shields’ residence.
The investigation continues and anyone with information regarding the armed robbery is asked to Contact Villa Park Deputy Chief Dan McCann at (630) 592-6115.
“It is alleged that Mr. Shields threatened a clerk at gunpoint who was just trying to make an honest living,” Berlin said. “This type of brazen behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County. The charges filed in this case today send the message anyone who commits a violent crime in DuPage County will be arrested, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Thankfully, the clerk was not physically harmed during this alleged incident. I commend the Villa Park Police Department for their efforts in identifying and apprehending the suspect in this case as well as the Addison Police Department for their assistance. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Anthony Pasquini and Michele Moreschi for their efforts in securing charges against Mr. Shields.”
“Armed violence has no place in our society,” Rivas said. “We will not let a serious crime occur in Villa Park without exhausting every resource to bring the incident to a logical and satisfactory conclusion. We are extremely proud of the efforts of the many law enforcement officials from the Villa Park Police Department who worked day and night to bring charges against the accused. We are also fully appreciative of the partnership with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance on this serious crime.”
Shields’ next court appearance is scheduled for June 28, 2021, for arraignment in front of Judge John Kinsella.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Chicago Times 