Man gets 22 years for armed robbery of Verizon store
A man who robbed a Verizon store in Lisle at gunpoint was sentenced Thursday to 22 years in prison.
Prosecutors had asked for the maximum penalty of 45 years for Arron Thompson of Aurora, according to a press release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.
Thompson, 29, pleaded guilty Sept. 30 to one count of armed robbery with a firearm.
His cousin and co-defendant, Ezekiel Thompson, 29, also of Aurora, pleaded guilty to armed robbery with a firearm on Aug. 6, 2024. But Thursday, Ezekiel Thompson received permission to withdraw his plea. His case was continued to Friday.
According to the news release, around 6:48 p.m. Feb. 1, 2020, the Thompsons entered the Verizon store at 1104 Ogden Ave. They were wearing hoods and masks over their faces.
Ezekiel Thompson pointed a gun at the only person working in the store and ordered him to the back, the release stated, then ordered him to open a vault containing cellphones.
The Thompsons then ordered the worker to fill a duffel bag with the phones and other electronics, according to the press release.
They then bound the man’s arms and legs with zip ties, stole his wallet and car keys and drove off in his car.
They and the car were found at an apartment complex in Woodridge.
Thompson must serve at least 50% of the sentence before being eligible for parole. He received credit for the nearly five years he has been in the DuPage County jail awaiting trial.