Hanover Park Man Charged with Attempting to Rob Uber Driver at Gunpoint; Pre-Trial Release Denied
“IT IS ALLEGED THAT MR. PHILLIPS ATTEMPTED TO ROB AN INNOCENT MAN AT GUNPOINT WHO WAS JUST TRYING TO EARN AN HONEST LIVING,” BERLIN SAID. “RIDE-SHARE DRIVERS PROVIDE AN INVALUABLE SERVICE TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN SAFELY DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY.”
ROSELLE - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Roselle Chief of Police Roberto Barreto announced that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Hanover Park man accused of attempting to rob an Uber driver at gunpoint. Nicholas Phillips, 31, (d.o.b. 12/16/1994) of the 1300 block of Sea Biscuit Lane, appeared in First Appearance Court yesterday afternoon charged with one count of Attempt Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class 1 Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 2 Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony).
On August 9, 2026, at approximately 10:54 p.m., Roselle police officers responded to the 600 block of W. Lake Street for an automobile crash involving a 2023 Nissan and a 2023 Kia. Upon their arrival, officers found both vehicles unoccupied. When looking into the Kia, officers allegedly observed a bullet on the rear passenger floorboard and a cell phone on the front passenger seat. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that at approximately 10:27 p.m., the victim, who is an Uber driver, drove his Kia to Sea Biscuit Lane to pick up Phillips. It is alleged that Phillips entered the rear passenger side of the Kia. It is alleged that a short time later, Phillips told the victim to turn back. It is further alleged that the victim stopped his car on Lake Street to show Phillips the address he was driving to at which time Phillips pulled out a gun and told the victim again to turn back. It is alleged that Phillips then told the victim to give him money and when the victim advised that he does not have money, Phillips struck him in the head with the gun. It is further alleged that the victim pulled into a gas station and tried to escape but Phillips was holding on to him. It is further alleged that Phillips told him he was going to shoot him. It is alleged that while the two were in the car, Phillips grabbed the victim’s hand causing the Kia to crash into the Nissan. After crashing the vehicle, it is alleged that the victim exited the car and Phillips chased the victim around the car two times before the victim was able to flee. It is further alleged that Phillips then approached the driver of the Nissan, reached for his waistband and said, “I got a gun.” It is alleged that Phillips and the driver of the Nissan got into a brief physical altercation during which the driver of the Nissan was able to disarm Phillips and toss the gun. It is further alleged that Phillips then fled the scene. Officers with the Hanover Park Police Department took Phillps into custody from his home a short time later. When canvassing the scene, the driver of the Nissan led officers to a location on Sunrise Lane where they recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm firearm.
“It is alleged that Mr. Phillips attempted to rob an innocent man at gunpoint who was just trying to earn an honest living,” Berlin said. “Ride-share drivers provide an invaluable service to thousands of people every day and it is our responsibility to ensure that they can safely do their job without worrying about their personal safety. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured as a result of Mr. Phillip’s alleged actions or the ensuing crash. I commend the Roselle Police Department for their outstanding work in the identification and apprehension of the defendant in this case. I thank the Hanover Park, Elmhurst and Villa Park Police Departments for their assistance as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Robert Willis, Sandi Tanoue and Kelsey Kerr for their work in securing charges against Mr. Phillips.
“This arrest was the result of the hard work and cooperation between the Roselle Police Department Patrol Division and the Detective Bureau,” Barreto said. “I would like to thank the Hanover Park, Elmhurst, and Villa Park Police Departments, who provided officers that assisted us in investigating this crime and locating the offender. Finally, I want to give a special thanks to State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and Assistant State’s Attorneys Robert Willis, Sandi Tanoue and Kelsey Kerr who worked on this case and provided invaluable guidance”.
Phillips’ next court appearance is scheduled for September 8, 2026, in front of Judge Brian Telander.
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.
###