Addison man admits stabbing robbery victim

An Addison man faces up to 15 years in prison after admitting he repeatedly stabbed a local gas station clerk in a Jan. 23 robbery attempt.

Matthew A. Outlaw, 21, pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted robbery in connection with the stabbing outside Phillips 66, 2100 W. Army Trail Road in Addison.

Assistant State’s Attorney Ken Tatarelis said Outlaw wore a mask when he “jumped out from behind a Dumpster” and demanded cash as the victim carried a bank deposit through the parking lot about 7:15 a.m.

When the victim refused to let go of the deposit and turned back toward the station, Tatarelis said, Outlaw knifed him five times in the stomach and back, and kicked and punched him before fleeing.

“The victim later underwent surgery for his injuries,” Tatarelis told DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin, who accepted Outlaw’s plea.

Tatarelis said police found Outlaw hiding in a nearby back yard and arrested him shortly after the stabbing. Officers also located a knife and a mask in the same area, and later obtained a confession, he said.

On Wednesday, Outlaw entered a blind plea, meaning there was no sentencing agreement. He faces anywhere from probation to four to 15 years in prison, the judge said.

Outlaw remains in the county jail, where he has been held on $500,000 bail since his arrest. He returns to court Aug. 17.