Two People Arrested in Naperville for Attempted Armed Robbery

 Posted on April 11, 2025 in Criminal Law

Pre-trial release has been denied for two individuals who allegedly attempted to rob a Lisle convenience store at knifepoint and attempted to rob a woman at a Naperville bank just days ago. Both suspects have been charged with one count of armed robbery and one count of attempted armed robbery. (A Class X felony and a Class 1 felony).  

Armed robbery is a serious charge in Illinois that can benefit from strong legal representation. Your attorney may be able to have the charges lowered to a less serious offense through a plea deal, negotiate a lesser sentence, prove you are not guilty of the charges in court, or have the charges dropped because of police error or violations of your Constitutional rights. Now is the time to speak to a knowledgeable Oakbrook Terrace, IL criminal defense lawyer.

What is Armed Robbery and Attempted Armed Robbery in Illinois?

Robbery in Illinois involves one person taking property from another person by force or the threat of force. If, during the commission of the robbery, the robber was carrying a firearm, a knife, ax, club, bludgeon, or other dangerous weapon, then the charge is elevated to armed robbery.

Attempted armed robbery is charged when the crime of armed robbery is planned and attempted but fails. For example, suppose a person plans to rob a convenience store, so he threatens the store clerk with a knife and demands the money from the cash register. The clerk then pulls out a gun from under the counter, and the robber flees the scene. The robber could be charged with attempted armed robbery.   

What Is the Difference Between Armed Robbery and Aggravated Robbery?

Aggravated robbery is similar to armed robbery because they both involve taking property from a person by force. However, in an aggravated robbery, the person only says or implies they have a dangerous weapon. In contrast, a person committing armed robbery has a weapon and uses that weapon to intimidate the person being robbed. In an aggravated robbery, the person may imply they have a weapon or may have a weapon but never show the weapon or admit to having it during the robbery.  

What Are the Penalties for Armed Robbery and Other Robbery Offenses?

Armed robbery is a Class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in prison. A prison sentence is mandatory for armed robbery, so probation is not an option. If the person is armed with a firearm, there is a 15-year gun enhancement penalty, which makes the sentencing range from 21 to 45 years. If the firearm is discharged, there is a 20-year enhancement, and if someone is shot, there is a 25-year-to-life enhancement.

General robbery does not involve a weapon – either shown, possessed but not shown, or not possessed but implied – and is a Class 2 felony, while aggravated robbery is a Class 1 felony. The penalty for a Class 2 felony is between three and seven years in prison plus up to two years of mandatory supervised release. For a Class 1 felony, the sentence is between four and 15 years, plus up to two years of mandatory supervised release. If this is not a first offense for armed robbery or another type of robbery, the sentence will increase.    

What Are the Most Common Defenses of Armed Robbery?

The defense an attorney uses for a client charged with armed robbery will depend on the circumstances of the offense. The most common defenses to armed robbery include:

• Actual innocence
• Witness misidentification
• No use of force or threat
•  No intent
• Police error
• Violations of Constitutional rights

Contact a Chicago, IL Defense Lawyer

If you are facing armed robbery or attempted armed robbery charges, it is important to speak to a highly qualified Rolling Meadows, IL armed robbery attorney from Hartsfield Law. Attorney Hartsfield has a diverse background that ranges from representing indigent defendants for the Will County Public Defender’s Office to experience as an educator for the City Colleges of Chicago, where he taught courses to pre-trial detainees at the Cook County Department of Corrections. To schedule a free consultation, call 312-345-1700.