Des Plaines man charged with armed robbery

A 22-year-old Des Plaines man has been charged with armed robbery after pulling a loaded handgun on another 22-year-old Des Plaines man in trying to collect $20, Des Plaines police said.

Joseph M. Silva, of the 100 block of East Northwest Highway, Des Plaines, was arrested around 6:15 p.m. July 20 at the intersection of Mount Prospect and Millers roads after a confrontation five minutes earlier at a home on the 0-100 block of Fremont Avenue.

Police reports based on witnesses’ statements gave this account:

Silva parked his car in front of the home and walked to the front door carrying a baseball bat. He argued with a man, demanding $20 he was owed. The man told Silva he did not have the money.

Silva put down the bat and pulled handgun and pointed it at the man. His mother confronted Silva and he pointed the gun at her, too. She gave her son $20 and he handed it to Silva, who took the money and drove away.

An officer who stopped Silva’s car for a traffic violation heard the armed robbery report on his police radio and detained Silva until other officers arrived. The victim, his mother and a witness identified Silva as the man who had pointed the gun, reports said. The firearm had a loaded magazine and a round in the chamber, reports added.