Local authorities responded to reports of a robbery at a gas station in Livingston County, according to an article by The Pantagraph.
This incident occurred on Wednesday, January 17th at approximately 1 p.m. That is when the perpetrator allegedly entered a gas station on Howard Street in Pontiac and brandished a firearm. After telling everyone present to get down on the floor, the perpetrator took a yet-to-be determined amount of money and fled.
Police officers responded to this incident and later tracked down the perpetrator’s vehicle. The perpetrator apparently crashed in Kankakee and ran away, leaving money and drugs in the abandoned vehicle.
At this juncture, it does not seem that the authorities have apprehended a suspect in this case. But it does seem likely that, sooner or later, the authorities will issue formal charges of robbery or aggravated robbery.
Robbery Laws and Penalties in Illinois
The Illinois laws against and penalties for robbery appear at 720 ILCS 5/18-1. This section makes it unlawful to knowingly:
- Take property from the person or presence of a victim; and
- Use force or the threat of imminent force to complete the act.
There is an important exception to the standard robbery laws explained above. Section 18-1 does not cover the theft of motor vehicles. There are separate provisions of the Illinois Criminal Code dedicated to robbery offenses involving motor vehicles.
Any person who commits robbery in violation of Section 18-1 will typically face Class 2 felony charges. If convicted of these charges, the Illinois punishment can include a prison sentence between three and seven years as well as criminal fines up to $25,000.
Aggravated Robbery Laws and Penalties in Illinois
Section 18-1 also establishes the Illinois laws against and penalties for aggravated robbery. A standard robbery offense becomes aggravated robbery if the perpetrator also:
- Indicates verbally or otherwise to be in possession of a dangerous weapon, even if the perpetrator does not actually posses such a weapon; or
- Delivers any controlled substance to the victim, without consent or medical purpose.
Any person who commits aggravated robbery in violation of Section 18-1 will usually face Class 1 felony charges. If convicted of these charges, the Illinois punishment can include a prison sentence between four and 15 years as well as criminal fines up to $25,000.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by phone at (309) 827-4300, email at johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or by completing an online form.