Video shows couple being robbed at gunpoint outside their home in Glenview, Illinois
A couple in Glenview, Illinois, was robbed at gunpoint Monday night in front of their own home in Chicago's northern suburbs.
The couple said they want to warn others about what happened.
Greg Poulos and Angie Beltsos were heading home to Glenview after dinner in the city around 10 p.m. Monday night, and walking to their front porch, when a car pulled up.
"I thought it was our son, or one of his friends. And so, at first, I wasn't startled. I just thought, 'Oh, it's one of the kids,' and then I looked, and this man is running at us pointing a gun, screaming at us to give him everything," Beltsos said.
Police said three men approached them, pulled out guns, and demanded their belongings.
In video of the robbery posted on Nextdoor, three men can be seen pointing guns at the couple as they walk up to their front porch.
One of the robbers can be heard telling them "give me all that s***" before the man and woman toss their cell phones, keys, and her purse on the ground.
"You got it. You got it. Here, take it. Take it. Take everything. Take everything. Take everything. Take everything. Take everything. Here, you can have it. Honest to God, guys," Poulos told the robbers.
Beltsos said they handed over everything from her purse to their clothing. Video shows one man remove Poulos' jacket.
"There was no calm, but I was, in my mind, I was always taught by my father just give whatever they want, give what they want, and your life is far more valuable," Poulos said.
The couple said the robbery was worse than it looks. The entire thing wasn't caught on camera.
Beltsos said, after they were robbed, "they had us lie down on our stomachs, and pointing guns at us, and I thought, 'Oh my gosh, is this how it's going to end today?'"
The couple was still in shock less than 24 hours later.
"For a moment they were standing there, and they ran off," Beltsos said.
To their knowledge, the robbery was the first incident of its kind in this area.
"These things are not good anywhere. They're not good in the city, on the South side, on the North Side; but people have become much more brazen, and they need to be held accountable," Beltsos said.
Police said the three robbers sped out of the neighborhood in a Jaguar SUV, which was later found abandoned and empty in Chicago.
Glenview Police said they're investigating.
The couple hopes sharing their story helps someone else.
"The surprise factor is something that no one can be ready for or prepare for, so I think it's really just raising awareness for people to be vigilant and keep their head on a swivel," Poulos said.
Glenview Police said they're talking to other local police departments to connect the dots with this robbery crew.
The couple held at gunpoint wants accountability.
"Holding them accountable, and hopefully preventing other incidents like this to other families," Beltsos said.
"I'm hopeful that, in some way, that there can be some change that is invoked from us getting on here from these kind of events. There's some positive. Our neighbors are more alert. Perhaps our politicians and our police are a little more thoughtful of where cameras could be," Poulos said.
