Seven years in prison for robbery that netted cigarettes, $55
A Wheaton man involved in an armed robbery that netted some cigarettes and $55 is going to prison for seven years.
Alonzo Alexander, 22, formerly of the 1600 block of Braircliff Boulevard, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to armed robbery for his role in the Nov. 26, 2016, armed robbery of a 36-year-old ride-share company driver.
Prosecutors said the victim was approached from behind by Alexander and another man, Joshua Phillips, about 8:30 p.m. at an apartment complex on the 300 block of Ramblewood Drive.
The two men forced the victim at gunpoint into his car and ordered him to drive to withdraw cash from his bank account, The withdrawal was declined, however, because the victim only had $12 in his account.
So, Phillips instead used the victim's debit card to buy cigarettes while Alexander pawned the man's cellphone for $55.
In all, the robbery lasted just more than an hour, prosecutors said, with the victim being taunted with what turned out to be an airsoft gun during the ordeal.
An investigation led by the Glen Ellyn Police Department led to the two men, who were both taken into custody in early December 2016.
Phillips was sentenced Oct. 22 to 12 years in prison.