Man pleads not guilty in Crystal Lake holdup

A Lake in the Hills teen pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he robbed and assaulted a man at knifepoint, getting away with a phone, cash and other items. Mazin Awwad, 17, asked for a jury trial on charges of armed robbery, theft and mob action in connection with an early morning holdup April 11 along a Crystal Lake street. The charges, punishable by a maximum 30 years in prison, allege he and a second teen showed a knife to the 18-year-old victim, shoved him to the ground and stole his belongings. Awwad has been in jail since his arrest a day later. His next court date is June 2. Co-defendant Deante B. Velazquez, 17, of Crystal Lake, also pleaded not guilty and is asking for a jury trial. Velasquez, who faces an additional charge of aggravated battery, remains in custody on $100,000 bond.