An Elgin man faces criminal charges for allegedly robbing someone he apparently lured to the scene using a dating app.

Kane County prosecutors have charged 19-year-old Steven L. Ward, Jr., with the offense of robbery, Class 1 felony.

Steven L. Ward, Jr.

The Kane County State‘s Attorney’s Office alleges in charging documents that on Jan. 9, 2019, Ward took an iPhone from the victim by threatening to use force and indicating that he was armed with a firearm, displaying a BB pistol.

According to Elgin police, on Jan. 9, 2019, the victim had arranged to meet someone he had been communicating with through a dating app. When the victim showed up, Ward robbed him.

Ward appeared Jan. 11, 2019, in Kane County bond court. The judge set Ward’s bail at $50,000 with 10 percent ($5,000), to apply for bond. The judge set Ward’s next court appearance for 9 a.m. Jan. 17, 2019, in front of Kane County Associate Judge David R. Kliment in Courtroom 217 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

Ward remains in custody at the Kane County jail.

If convicted of the offense, Ward faces a sentence of between four and 15 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections, or probation.

The charges against Ward are not proof of guilt. Ward is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.