Hoffman Estates teen gets six years for robberies

A Hoffman Estates teen was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison after pleading guilty to a pair of armed robberies that occurred within days of each other last September.

A Cook County judge also ordered Cedric Pitts, 18, to pay a fine of $689.

At about 10:30 p.m. Sept. 23, Pitts and co-defendant Yatkeem Grant confronted a pizza delivery man in Hoffman Estates, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Crowe. After an unidentified person hit the victim on the head with brass knuckles, Grant demanded the victim turn over about $225 and the men fled with the money and pizzas, Crowe said.

Charges against Grant are still pending.

Several days later, at about 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 27, a taxi driver responded to a request for a cab in Hoffman Estates. Pitts and another man approached the driver; one punched the driver in the face while the other demanded money, Crowe said. The victim gave the assailants $35 fare money and another $40 from his own wallet and the men fled, Crowe said.

"I'd like to apologize for my actions, your honor," said Pitts to Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta.

Pitts, who has no criminal background, received credit for 160 days in custody. He must complete at least 50 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.