Three charged in robbery of Elk Grove-area hotel

Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced Friday that a 21-year-old Blue Island man and two accomplices from Chicago have been charged in Monday night's armed robbery at the Days Inn on East Higgins Road near Elk Grove Village.

According to a release from the sheriff's office, James Meyers entered the Days Inn about 6:45 p.m., displayed a gun to a female employee and demanded cash. The employee complied and Meyers left, getting into an SUV with Theodis Thomas, 21, and Steven James, 23, waiting inside, police said.

Later that night, Willow Springs police called the sheriff's office after the three men had been arrested in a robbery there.

Meyers was charged with an additional count of armed robbery for the July 15 robbery of the New Way Food and Liquors in Ford Heights, police said. Authorities believe he could be involved in other robberies in Cook County.

Meyers also was charged with criminal damage to government property after he broke a video camera at the sheriff's office and slammed himself into a wall as he was being escorted down a hallway by deputies, police said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Meyers is scheduled for a Saturday bond hearing in Chicago.

Thomas' bail was set at $200,000 and James' bail at $150,000 during their July 30 hearings at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse.