Des Plaines man accused of holding delivery driver hostage over missing item from order

DES PLAINES, Ill. — A Des Plaines man is facing felony charges after officers say he allegedly held a pizza deliveryman hostage after becoming upset about an item missing from his order over the weekend.

According to Des Plaines police, 57-year-old John Neri has been charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful restraint and one felony count of armed robbery.

Officers say the charges stem from an incident that allegedly unfolded at Neri’s apartment in the 100 Block of South Des Plaines River Road on Saturday.

According to police, the victim, a 21-year-old man who works for a pizza delivery company, told officers that he was delivering food to Neri at his apartment, but said the suspect allegedly grew irate and began accusing the victim of not delivering an item that he had ordered.

Amid the alleged confrontation, officers said Neri grabbed the victim and pulled him into his apartment. Once inside, he allegedly stood between the victim and the door, blocking the victim from leaving the apartment.

Officers say the victim had been given $20 just before the delivery, in order to make change for Neri, who had indicated he was going to pay in cash, and while stuck in the apartment, Neri allegedly took the money from the victim’s hand while holding a kitchen knife.

The victim was eventually able to leave the apartment and returned to work, where he then called 911.

After speaking with the victim, officers went to Neri’s apartment, where he was taken into custody after refusing to speak with officers.

Following his arrest, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges against Neri.

Neri appeared in court on Thursday for a detention hearing.