Police are warning Kane County-area residents of a “robbery crew” that has been performing dating-app robberies in the area over the past several weeks.

According to a city of Aurora Police Department news release, Hayden Motley, 20, of Elburn, and an Aurora juvenile were both charged with robbery (a Class 2 felony) after an investigation which revealed that they had lured an Aurora man to an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Best Place using a dating app.

At around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday (April 16, 2019), the victim arrived at the apartment complex believing he would meet a female who he met on the dating app “Skout.”

Police said the male was instructed to meet his date in the parking lot but instead was confronted by two males who placed him in a choke hold and took his wallet. The victim was punched in the face but reported no serious injuries.

According to reports, Motley and the juvenile accomplice then fled the scene but were located nearby by Aurora police officers. They were both positively identified by witnesses in the area.

Motley was transferred to the Kane County Jail to await arraignment on bond. The juvenile was transferred to the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center for a similar appearance.

Aurora Police detectives say Motley and the juvenile may be part of a “robbery crew” who have been performing similar robberies. They ask that anyone with information about this case or any similar cases, to contact the Aurora Police Department Investigations Division at 630-256-5500 or the Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

Crime Stoppers is a community program geared toward public involvement in the fight against crime. It offers cash rewards up to $5,000 and anonymity to citizens who furnish information leading to the arrest of felony crime offenders and the capture of felony fugitives.

Charges are not proof of guilt. Motley and the juvenile are presumed innocent and are entitled to fair trials at which it is the burden of the state to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Aurora Police Department news release