Chicago man admits stickups at McHenry County Walgreens stores

A Chicago man who told police he robbed Walgreens stores because he "thought it would be easy" faces a minimum 21 years of hard time after admitting guilt Tuesday to a pair of 2009 stickups in McHenry County.

John Malaszenko, 57, of the 9900 block of South Longwood Drive, pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery stemming from holdups of Walgreens stores in Crystal Lake and Fox River Grove on Jan. 28, 2009 and Feb. 10, 2009, respectively

He also was charged in connection with the Feb. 3, 2009 robbery of a Walgreens in Cary, but that charge was dismissed Tuesday as part of his plea deal.

Though armed robbery normally is punishable by six to 30 years in prison, 15 years will be added onto whatever term Malaszenko receives at his July 30 sentencing because he used a firearm.

Assistant McHenry County State's David Johnston said Malaszenko followed a similar script in each robbery: He walked into the store, brought a piece of candy or magazine to the front counter and when the clerk opened the cash register he would brandish a handgun and demand its contents.

He was arrested, cash and gun in hand, moments after the Fox River Grove heist by police waiting outside. They had been tipped off by store employees who called after recognizing Malaszenko from photos distributed after the Cary and Crystal Lake robberies.

Malaszenko, who is awaiting trial on Cook County charges alleging he robbed a Walgreens and CVS pharmacy there, never offered an explanation for why he was committing robberies, said his attorney, Senior Assistant Public Defender Richard Behof. His ailing health, Behof added, played a part in his decision to plead guilty.

"His health is in bad shape and he just wanted to put this behind him," he said.