DeKalb police arrest two for string of thefts on Varsity Boulevard

DeKALB – Two people were arrested Thursday for their involvement in a string of armed robberies at Varsity Square Apartments in which they allegedly scheduled meetings with people they met online to sell them cell phones, only to rob them when they showed up, police said.

Taliyah M. Maltbia, 19, of the 1100 block of Varsity Boulevard, DeKalb, and Anthony Minniefield, 18, of the 6600 block of South Hartwell Avenue, Chicago, were arrested and charged with armed robbery, a Class X felony; attempted armed robbery, a Class 1 felony; aggravated battery, theft, all Class 3 felonies; and reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony. If convicted of the most serious Class X felony, Maltbia and Minniefield could face up to 30 years in prison.

According to a Friday DeKalb police news release, officers responded to a call on Jan. 5 for a report of a theft at 1212 Varsity Blvd., the address for Varsity Square Apartments. The buyer attempted to purchase a black iPhone from an unknown seller through an online marketplace and met with the seller in one of the complex’s parking lots.

A young Black male, who the buyer described as “approximately 12 to 13 years old” in DeKalb County court documents, allegedly collected $800 for the phone.

“The individual then went inside with the phone and money, alleging they needed to get a SIM card for the phone,” court documents state. “The individual never returned.”

DeKalb police responded to another call on Jan. 11 for an armed robbery there, according to the release. The buyer in that instance also attempted to purchase an iPhone from an unknown seller on Facebook.

“The victim was confronted by two offenders – one offender was armed with a blue firearm and demanded the victim’s money and cell phone,” the release states. “When the victim attempted to run, he was struck with the firearm, causing him to lose consciousness.”

When the buyer regained consciousness, he ran to his vehicle and later realized his money and cell phone had been stolen, according to court documents.

Police also responded to a call on Jan. 23 for a report of an armed robbery and shooting at the same address – with buyers in this instance also attempting to purchase an iPhone from an unknown seller on Facebook.

The buyer and an individual accompanying the buyer met with someone described as a juvenile, who allegedly claimed he was the son of the Facebook seller and attempted to sell them a cell phone. However, the phone given to the buyer was not the one that appeared for sale on Facebook. The juvenile left and returned with the correct cell phone.

“A taller second offender appeared while armed with a blue gun,” the release states. “That offender struck one of the victims with the gun and then pointed the gun next to the victim’s head.”

The alleged victim pushed the gun away and the offender fired a round, missing the victim and hitting the wall, according to the release. The alleged buyers then ran from the scene and called police, according to court documents.

On Jan. 24, police identified a possible suspect and began to monitor the 1212 Varsity Blvd. area. Two days later, investigators located the sellers from the above accounts attempting to sell another cell phone.

“The listing had the same photographs of a black iPhone with a distinct black and white patterned background in the photographs,” court documents state.

An undercover officer contacted the suspects on Facebook and they agreed to sell an iPhone 13 Pro Max for $850 at the apartment complex address. The offenders, however, did not have a phone to sell and were armed with a loaded blue gun, police allege.

“Maltbia was in possession of a firearm with a blue slide and black frame,” court documents state. “Maltbia does not have an Illinois FOID [card].”

Minniefield allegedly told police he and Maltbia split the proceeds from a theft and that he was part of the armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. He also allegedly admitted to police he accidentally shot a gun when he pointed it at one of the buyers.

DeKalb Police Chief David Byrd on Friday said there was no juvenile offender involved.

Maltbia and Minniefield had separate court hearings Friday via Zoom.

DeKalb County Judge Marcy Buick set both bonds at $250,000, meaning each would have to post $25,000 in order to be released from the DeKalb County Jail.

Maltbia is due back in court 2:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Minniefield is due back in court 2:30 p.m. Feb. 3.

Varsity Square Apartments personnel solicited input from residents on Thursday about safety concerns following the incidents this month, according to an email sent by management.