DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Deputy Chief of Police Joe Grage announced today, Friday, February 14, 2025, that the Court has denied the State’s motion to detain two out-of-state men accused of breaking into and stealing more than $135,000 worth of merchandise from the Rogers & Holland Jewelers, located at 203 Yorktown Mall, Lombard. Julius Alls, age 51, of Columbus, Ohio, and Demondre Butler, age 28, also of Columbus, Ohio, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning each charged with one count of Theft – $100,0000-$500,000 (Class 1 Felony), one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Possession of Burglary Tools (Class 4 Felony). In his pre-trial release order, Judge Dieden noted “If the General Assembly intended burglaries and thefts from jewelry stores of this nature and value to be detainable, they would have stated so.”
Lombard police officers about 8:56 p.m. Thursday, February 13, 2025, were dispatched to Rogers & Holland Jewelers after receiving information that two individuals, later identified as the defendants, were inside the store approximately two hours after it had closed. Following an investigation into the matter, police discovered that Alls and Butler allegedly used a crowbar to pry open a security gate at the store. Once inside the store, the defendants allegedly stole approximately $137.205.45 worth of merchandise from the display cases. While in the store, Alls noticed a security officer, and yelled “we gotta go!” at which time both offenders fled the scene on foot, ultimately getting into a silver Volvo. Nearby officers located the Volvo at Highland Avenue and Roosevelt Road and observed the license plate was covered by a towel. Officers subsequently conducted a traffic stop and took the defendants into custody without incident. When processing the scene, officers located a crowbar in the backseat of the Volvo. Police also discovered a bag of jewelry allegedly thrown from the defendants’ vehicle near Roosevelt Road and Stewart Avenue, approximately two hundred feet from where the vehicle was initially observed by officers, and about two miles from the Rogers & Holland Jewelers.
“As I have said before, burglary and retail theft are not victimless crimes. Shoppers, employers, employees, business owners and entire communities ultimately bear the cost in the form of higher prices, lost revenue and wages, reduced local economic investment and a lost sense of security. I thank the Lombard Police Department for their work on this case and for their ongoing efforts in keeping our retail establishments safe for employees and patrons. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sean Kinsella and Michael Pingaj for their work in securing charges against Mr. Alls and Mr. Butler.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“I would like to recognize our patrol officers and detectives for some fantastic professional police work that led to the apprehension of the individuals involved and the recovery of the property stolen in this incident. I would also like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their assistance in securing appropriate charges.”
— Lombard Deputy Chief of Police Joe Grage
The next court date for both defendants is scheduled for March 10, 2025, in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of a defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office
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