Man sentenced to 18 years on robbery charges

PEORIA -- A Peoria County judge has ordered an 18-year prison sentenced for a South Peoria man who was caught in April trying to rob a convenience store with a toy "pirate gun."

Circuit Judge James Shadid handed down the sentence Monday against 24-year-old Montel Shorty, who pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery for March 31 and April 6 holdups.

Authorities say Shorty was one of three people who held up the South Metro Market on April 6. The two other defendants, 18-year-old Ernest King, 23-year-old Tyesha Roberson, 23, both of Peoria, are scheduled to appear in court later this week.

Police say Shorty was tackled by a clerk after the employee got a good look at the gun, which resembles a toy flintlock pistol.