Two arrested in Palatine restaurant robbery

Two Arlington Heights men are facing armed robbery charges after police said they robbed a Palatine fast-food restaurant.

Palatine police said Dwayne Brewer, 25, and Ryan Heintz, 23, both of 1703 N. Brown St., were charged with four felonies: armed robbery with a firearm; aggravated robbery; aggravated unlawful restraint and unlawful restraint.

The robbery, police said, happened about 9:50 p.m. Sept. 30 at Panda Express, 1165 E. Dundee Road.

Police said Brewer and Heintz entered the restaurant through a rear door, with handguns drawn, and herded five employees into a walk-in freezer. Police said they ordered the store manager to open the safe.

After taking an undisclosed amount of cash, police said Brewer and Heintz then sent the manager into the freezer with the rest of the employees.

Police said after waiting a few minutes in the freezer, the Panda Express manager discovered the two men had fled and called police. No one was injured during the robbery.

Based on their investigation, police said they were able to track down the two men.

Once questioned, police said Brewer and Heintz admitted to the robbery.

On Wednesday, bond was set at $250,000 for Heintz and $200,000 for Brewer.

Both men are next scheduled to appear in court Nov. 9.

Armed robbery with a firearm is a Class X felony, carrying a potential sentence of 6 to 30 years in prison.