WHEATON, Ill. – A Chicago man was arrested this week after allegedly stealing from a suburban AutoZone and threatening an employee with a gun.

Elliot Thomas, 38, faces one count of armed robbery with a firearm, prosecutors said.

Wheaton police responded Monday to reports of an armed individual at the AutoZone at 809 E. Roosevelt Road. Authorities said Thomas entered the store, took a set of Duralast torque wrenches valued at $25.99 and left without paying.

When the store’s security sensors were triggered, an employee followed Thomas outside and asked him to come back.

Thomas initially ignored the request, but then turned to the employee and allegedly said, “You don’t want to know what I have here,” in a threatening manner.

He allegedly unzipped a crossbody bag and revealed a loaded Stoeger STR-9 9mm handgun with a 15-round magazine.

Thomas then fled the scene in a 2002 Chevy Tahoe, prosecutors said.

Glen Ellyn police found him minutes later and conducted a traffic stop. The police allegedly found the firearm in the bag and the torque socket stolen from the vehicle.

Thomas was taken into custody and a judge granted the state’s request to hold him pending trial.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2.