Downers Grove man charged with attempted robbery on Naperville campus

A Downers Grove man is facing charges after authorities say he threatened a North Central College student early Tuesday during an attempted robbery in Naperville.

Donald Herkel, 36, of the 5800 block of Lomond Avenue, has been charged with attempted aggravated robbery and burglary to a motor vehicle on school grounds - both felonies - after an incident at 1:12 a.m. Tuesday, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Herkel was standing near a car with the door open when he approached a North Central student near Chicago Avenue and Brainard Street and "demanded the victim give him everything he had," Berlin said.

The victim told authorities Herkel said, "I've got a gun, I'll shoot you."

The victim ran away and contacted campus security without being hurt or having anything stolen, authorities said.

Campus security contacted Naperville police, who said they found Herkel and took him into custody at 1:31 a.m. about two blocks west of the scene in a parking lot near a Barnes & Noble store.

Police said Herkel did not have a weapon. But the state's attorney's office said Herkel was in possession of STIG nicotine stix, which he is accused of stealing from the car where he was seen before approaching the victim.

DuPage County Judge Brian Diamond set bond for Herkel at $200,000, meaning he would have to pay $20,000 to get out of jail. Herkel's next court date is set for Monday in front of Judge Robert Miller.

Berlin said school safety is a top priority, and he thanked North Central campus security and Naperville police for their work to find Herkel so quickly after he "threatened a student with his life."

"While the victim in this case was unharmed, I am sure this was a very traumatic experience nonetheless," Berlin said in the news release,

Naperville police, in a community alert sent about the robbery attempt, reminded recipients to walk in groups when possible and on well-lit paths. Police said anyone confronted with an armed offender should "comply with all demands and do not do anything that would jeopardize your personal safety."