The Trump Store in Hebron has temporarily closed and says it is due to a “lack of police protection” following repeated threats, including a bomb threat that the owners say police did not take seriously.
The Trump Store, located at 10008 Main Street in Hebron, announced last week that it would be temporarily closed until further notice.
“There have been two threats to the store and its owners and the Hebron Police Chief Juanita Gumble does nothing to protect the victims of these crimes,” the business said in a statement.
The first incident reportedly occurred in November and a report was filed with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, which transferred the case to the Hebron Police Department for a follow-up.
The business said the Hebron police chief made no attempts to contact Steve Vole, who co-owns the business with his brother John Vole, for over six months.
They said the person who made threats on three different occasions is the “second person in charge” of planning and zoning in the town.
“We took it upon ourselves to contact the court and file an order of protection against this person since our local police chief did nothing. The judge warned the individual that he would revoke his FOID card and seize his weapons,” the business said.
The second threat reportedly occurred on Memorial Day when a man, who the business said was former Village Board Member John Santoro, entered the store and refused to leave.
“We opened up our store and a man entered our store cussing and swearing at us because we were selling Trump and America merchandise… Just before my brother John stepped in he attempted to punch me and with that I threw my hands up to defend myself and in the process his glasses and hat were knocked off,” Steve Vole said.
The brothers locked the door after Santoro was outside and Santoro allegedly “pounded on the door and started spitting” on the door before proceeding to tear clothes off the clothing rack and break an American flag that was hanging, the business said.
Steve Vole said he called 911 and reported the incident and the Hebron Police Department responded 10 minutes later and took photos. They informed the officer they would press charges.
The brothers say they had not heard from the police department for days after the incident.
“We simply cannot open the store as we have no police protection as we should as American citizens. At this time the village of Hebron is trying to use eminent domain to take our other corner property away from us and it’s our belief that somehow these threats are in some way related to the eminent domain in order to push us out of the village by intimidation brought on by the liberal village board and the police department that is controlled by the village board,” the business said.
“Until this matter is addressed it is not safe for us to open. Please feel free to contact the Village of Hebron Illinois and ask them why they don’t protect victims of hate crimes,” the business added.
The owners said they were recently contacted by the police department informing them of a bomb threat voicemail received by a resident referencing plans to blow up The Trump Store.
John Vole contacted the police chief on June 1 by email requesting further details on what follow-up investigation had been conducted into the matter while questioning whether federal authorities had been notified.
Gumble responded to the email by saying that officers had notified the business and provided extra patrol but encouraged him to “inquire on private security and cameras for your building.”
“All threats are by all different people through the years. These agencies you mentioned [ATF, FBI] are called after a threat is suspected to be more than verbal,” she said.
The police chief said her officers wanted to check The Trump Store building but they received no answer at the door and then tried to follow up with a photo of the offender but again received no answer at the door the following evening.
Police have identified a possible subject who made the threat and are working to pursue criminal charges, Gumble said in the email, explaining the process of how the investigation was proceeding.
“I am sure you wouldn’t want the process deviated in any way; then the officers may be violating people’s rights who are accused of things they may not have done with no proof, video, or witnesses,” Gumble said.
The Trump Store in Hebron is not the same Trump Truth Store as the one in Crystal Lake, which had relocated from Huntley. That store remains open and is under different ownership.