DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced today, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Bloomingdale resident accused of attempting to rob at gunpoint a West Chicago gas station.
Filip Simonovic, age 43, of the 140 block of South Prairie Avenue, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with …
one count of Attempt Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class 1 Felony),
one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 3 Felony)
three counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony),
two counts of Misdemeanor DUI, and
one count of Misdemeanor Transportation of Open Alcohol by a Driver.
West Chicago police officer entered the Thornton’s Gas Station at 1330 South Neltnor Boulevard about 1:25 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025, selected beverages from the cooler, and proceeded to the counter to purchase the beverages. While the officer was in line, it is alleged that the clerk indicated that an individual at the counter, later identified as Simonovic, had pointed a firearm at him. After speaking with Simonovic, police officers on scene discovered in Simonovic’s possession two firearms — a loaded Beretta Mod 950BS .25 caliber, with seven rounds in the magazine and a loaded Beretta Mod 92FS 9mm handgun with ten rounds in the magazine.
The 950BS was located in Simonovic’s right jacket pocket, and the 92FS was located in his waistband. Officers took Simonovic into custody at this time. Police officers also found Simonovic to be wearing body armor under a button-up shirt. After obtaining permission to search his vehicle, officers allegedly found ammunition and three additional firearms including a loaded Ruger revolver .357 magnum, a loaded carbine Zastava M92, and a loaded Smith & Wesson SW9VE 9mm. Police officers also found open alcohol containers in the vehicle. Following further investigation, police alleged that Simonovic entered the store and tried to buy cigarettes. As the clerk began to ring them up, he told Simonovic the amount, but Simonovic allegedly pulled out the black handgun and racked it and told the clerk, “don’t do anything stupid.” Simonovic then allegedly demanded the money out of two cash registers. Simonovic allegedly pulled a second firearm out of his waistband and pointed it at the victim. Simonovic concealed the weapons as the officer approached the entrance to the store. Simonovic’s BAC was .147 when he was taken into custody.
“As a society, we must never tolerate or become numb to armed violence. “It is alleged that in a botched armed robbery attempt, Mr. Simonovic pointed two loaded weapons at an individual who was working the midnight shift at a local gas station just trying to make an honest living. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. I commend the victim in this case for alerting the officer to the situation and I commend the officer for his work in safely taking the defendant into custody. I thank the West Chicago Police Department for their efforts on this case which resulted in the removal of multiple dangerous weapons from our streets. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sandi Tanoue and Nicholas Covert and for their work in securing charges against Mr. Simonovic.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“This incident underscores the real dangers our officers face every day. The offender’s use of a bulletproof vest, along with two handguns, accompanied by two more handguns, an assault-style weapon and a cache of ammunition in his vehicle, serves as a stark reminder that the line between life and death can often come down to sheer luck. We are grateful that both the clerk and our officer remained extremely calm during this incident, allowing for the safe apprehension of this very dangerous offender. I thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their support and continued prosecutions of those who threaten public safety.”
— West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury
Simonovic’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 23, 2025, in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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