Robber gets 8 years

An Arlington Heights man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a Palatine armed robbery, according to prosecutors and court records. Ryan Heintz, 23, of 1703 N. Brown St., pleaded guilty this week to the crime, authorities said. He'll be credited for the 112 days he's spent in jail since his October arrest.

Authorities have said Heintz and Dwayne Brewer -- a 26-year-old who shares Heintz's address -- entered the Panda Express at 1165 E. Dundee Road on Sept. 30 through a rear door and, with handguns drawn, herded five workers into a walk-in freezer. The duo then ordered a manager to open the safe, sent him into the freezer and took off with about $2,000, authorities said.

Both men originally faced charges of armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated robbery, aggravated unlawful restraint and unlawful restraint. Heintz pleaded guilty to the armed robbery charge. Brewer's case is pending. He's being held in Cook County jail on $200,000 bond.