Man denies botched robbery of a friend

A Grayslake man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he tried to rob a friend he had driven to a cash machine.

Travis Grimes, 19, faces up to seven years in prison if he is convicted of aggravated battery and attempted robbery. Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Tim Niehus said Grimes, of the 34000 block of Sulkey Drive, got a phone call Dec. 20 from a friend in Wildwood who needed a ride.

Niehus said Grimes and Tyrell Sumlin, 17, of the 18000 block of Timber Lane in Grayslake, picked up the Wildwood man around 7:30 p.m. and drove him to an automated teller machine.

As the man was walking back to the car with his cash withdrawal in his hand, Niehus said, Sumlin attacked the man and punched him in the face several times. Niehus said that although Grimes and Sumlin demanded the money several times, the Wildwood man refused to surrender the cash.

Grimes and Sumlin eventually drove away, Niehus said, and the victim called police and identified Grimes as one of his attackers.

Sumlin denied any involvement in the crime, Niehus said, and has already pleaded not guilty to the same charges Grimes faces.

Both are held on $75,000 bond. Sumlin is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 23, while Grimes’ next court date is March 16.