Former gym teacher at Christian school charged with carjacking, robbery in Grindr crimes

A former Illinois physical education teacher is facing charges of carjacking, kidnapping and robbery in a series of crimes that Chicago police say targeted men on a popular dating app over the summer on the city's West Side.

Antonie Perteet, 33, used to worked as a P.E. teacher and security guard for Lions Mathematics and Science Christian Academy in Waukegan where he was previously listed as faculty, according to multiple reports.

Police say that Perteet targeted victims on the dating app Grindr before carrying out three separate attacks in which he held men captive as he robbed them at gunpoint, and in one case, stole a car.

More details on charges, what defense attorney says

Perteet's exact charges are three counts of armed robbery with a firearm, three counts of kidnapping with a firearm and one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, according to a police report.

Perteet was already in the custody at Cook County Jail where he was served with his charges Tuesday. Police confirmed the charges Wednesday.

According to WBBM Newsradio, Perteet is married with four kids.

His attorney, Ari Williams, argued against his detainment, according to a court transcript, saying there is a "lack of physical evidence."

Williams did not immediately return a message seeking comment from USA TODAY after business hours on Thursday.

Perteet already in jail on previous charges from alleged home invasion

CWBChicago reported that Perteet was jailed in connection to home invasions that happened in June and October involving people also targeted through the dating app Grindr.

Perteet faces charges of armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated unlawful restraint in connected with the June home invasion, according to court records obtained by CWBChicago. He faces charges of home invasion, kidnapping, possessing a stolen firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon for the one in October, the outlet reported.

In the Oct. 8 incident that occurred in the suburb of Cicero, about an hour outside of Chicago, a court transcript shows that Perteet and an accomplice are accused of showing up to a man's house and brandishing a gun before forcing the man inside, CWBChicago reported.

Prosecutors said that the man was forced to unlock his bank accounts and was then restrained with belts. Tape was placed over his eyes and a towel stuffed into his mouth, they said.

Perteet and the alleged accomplice eventually left "with a container of coins, about $50 cash, the victim’s phone, smartwatch, and his keys," prosecutor Matthew Larkin told Judge Susana Ortiz concerning the case.

Police ultimately arrested Perteet at the school where he worked.

Antonie Perteet has court hearing on new charges

The Chicago Sun Times reported that Perteet appeared in Cook County court on the new charges on Wednesday, and that Judge Maryam Ahmad ordered him detained, according to court records show.

Perteet is due back in court on April 2.