Man accused of robbing Bensenville gas station at knife point denied pretrial release

A DuPage County judge has ruled that a Chicago man accused of robbing a Bensenville gas station at knife point must remain in custody as he waits to stand trial.

Willie Weaver, 47, appeared in court Friday and was charged with one felony count of armed robbery. Judge Leah Bendik granted a prosecutor’s motion to deny pretrial release.

Police say that at about 11 p.m. on May 3, a Casey’s Gas Station clerk was disposing of boxes outside the location at 1225 E. Devon Ave. and that Weaver followed him back inside. The clerk then unlocked the door to an employee-only section of the store, and police say Weaver followed him and prevented him from closing and locking the door. He then pointed a knife with a three-inch blade at the clerk.

The clerk retreated with his hands up and was forced to open a cash register. Police allege that after a brief struggle, Weaver lunged at the clerk with the knife, then took $129 from the register and fled in a black Nissan.

A police investigation pointed to Weaver as a suspect, and he was arrested following a traffic stop on May 9 near Elmhurst Road and Touhy Avenue.

Weaver’s next court appearance for arraignment is scheduled for June 3.