CRIME | Mundelein Man Accused of Attempting to Steal a Man’s Car at Gunpoint with a Child Inside

Accused man is currently on parole for second degree murder

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that bond has been set for a Mundelein man accused of attempting to hijack a man’s car with his grandson inside at gunpoint in Naperville yesterday afternoon. Anton Cross, 24 (d.o.b. 2/4/1999) of the 26200 block of N. Walnut Avenue, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge James McClusky set bond at $200,000 with 10% to apply. Cross is charged with one count of Attempt Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class 1 Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (Class 2 Felony). Cross is currently on parole for Second Degree Murder. His parole expires on January 30, 2024.

On June 16, 2023, at approximately 12:13 p.m., Naperville police officers responded to a call of an attempted carjacking in the 1300 block of McDowell Road. Approximately forty minutes later, a concerned citizen called 9-1-1 regarding a suspicious man hiding in the bushes near Hinterlong Lane, which is approximately 1.6 miles away from the alleged attempted carjacking. Officers responded to the 9-1-1- call and located an individual, later identified as Cross, nearby. It is alleged that Cross began running from officers and during a chase, a loaded Glock handgun fell from his pocket. After a brief pursuit, Cross was taken into custody. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Cross approached a man who was putting his grandson in his vehicle and asked the man for directions. It is alleged that the victim gave Cross directions at which time Cross pulled out a firearm and told the man “give me your f*****g keys.” It is further alleged that when the man refused, Cross fled the scene.

“The allegations that in the middle of the afternoon, Mr. Cross, who is currently on parole for second degree murder, threatened to steal at gunpoint a man’s car while his grandson was inside the vehicle, are outrageous and will be met with the full force and effect of the law,” Berlin said. “We are all very thankful that no harm came to the victim or his grandson. I thank the Naperville Police Department for their quick response to the original call as well as the second 9-1-1 call. Their outstanding police work led to the quick, peaceful apprehension of the defendant in this case. Naperville is one of the safest communities in the entire nation in which to live thanks to an active and involved community. I commend the concerned citizen for calling 9-1-1 when they suspected something wasn’t right. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Pingaj and Kathleen Rowe for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Cross.”

“Our citizens deserve to feel safe in our community and making that happen is our top priority. Violent crime will not be tolerated, and I give all the credit to the proficiency and professionalism of our patrol officers and detectives, who responded to the scene and located, pursued, and apprehended the suspect so swiftly,” Arres said. “I want to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their assistance in this case and for approving charges commensurate with the severity of this crime.”

Cross’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 10, 2023, for status in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are 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.

Source: Naperville Police Department and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.