Montgomery, Oswego Men Could Get 30 Years in Naperville Robbery

Details from Monday night’s were released Wednesday, and according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, employees were forced at gun point into a freezer before the two suspects robbed the business and attempted to flee.

The two men charged in the armed robbery, Cory Paytes, 22, of the 0-99 block of Eastfield Road in Montgomery and Travis Gamble, 22, of the 0-99 block of Anna Maria Lane in Oswego, face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, according to the State’s Attorney’s office.

Bond for both men was set Tuesday during their initial court hearings. Paytes’ bond was set at $1 million and Gamble’s was set at $300,000. Paytes and Gamble have each been charged with one count of armed robbery, a Class X felony; one count of aggravated robbery, a Class 1 felony; and one count of resisting a police officer, a Class A misdemeanor. 

The pair allegedly forced the Papa John’s employees at gunpoint into a freezer, but one employee was removed and forced to open the safe and cash registers, the news release said. The man was then forced back into the freezer and Paytes and Gamble fled with cash from the business. Once they were outside of the business, as was , the men were caught after a brief foot chase. Police had Paytes and Gamble under surveillance because they were believed to be involved in other robberies. 

Last year there were several similar armed robberies in the area, including robberies in St. Charles, Naperville, Yorkville and Lisle. Several were Domino's Pizza businesses, including one in Naperville, which prompted the company to for information that led to an arrest.

“This alleged brazen behavior, threatening people at gun point who are just trying to make an honest living, will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release. “I would like to thank the for their fine police work and extremely quick apprehension of these armed and dangerous men. I would also like to thank the Lisle, Plainfield, St. Charles, Yorkville and Oswego Police Departments for their assistance.”

Naperville Police Chief David Dial said in the news release, “These were dangerous suspects who needed to be caught. It was the result of a great multi-jurisdictional police effort and I am very proud of all of the officers who worked on this case.”    

Paytes’ next court date is scheduled for Jan. 23 in front of Judge George Bakalis. Gamble’s next court date is scheduled for Jan. 24 in front of Judge Kathryn Creswell.