19-year-old gets five years for apartment break-in

A 19-year-old Schaumburg man received five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge of aggravated robbery for a break-in at an Arlington Heights apartment during which a victim was held at gunpoint. Cook County Sheriff's deputies took John Abel, of the 200 block of Andrew Lane in Schaumburg, into custody following his plea before Judge Thomas Fecarotta. Abel had been charged with home invasion and faced up to 30 years in prison.

During his sentencing, Abel admitted to Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Gerber that he and a co-defendant planned and carried out the robbery, which occurred about 5:30 p.m. March 3 in the 2200 block of S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights. The two men forced their way into an apartment, Gerber said, after which the co-defendant held a gun on the victim while he and Abel stole $1,500 along with other items, including marijuana, Gerber said.

Abel's co-defendant is scheduled to stand trial Aug. 20.

Judge Kay Hanlon remarked that Abel's juvenile record was "not good" when she ordered him to submit to house arrest at his March bond hearing.

Fecarotta recommended Abel for the Illinois Impact Incarceration Program, also known as boot camp. First or second time offenders age 36 and younger who receive a sentence of eight years or less are eligible for the 120-day program.

However, admission is not automatic and a prisoner who fails to complete the program for any reason must serve out the rest of his or her sentence.