Man pleads guilty to Cary, Crystal Lake robberies

A Rockford man pleaded guilty to armed robbery Friday for his role in a string of holdups in Cary and Crystal Lake.

Stephen L. Waters, 24, had been charged with conspiracy, armed robbery and burglary for his involvement in the crimes, which took place between Oct. 16, 2006, and March 23, 2007.

Waters pleaded guilty to armed robbery in the Jan. 9 holdup of a White Hen Pantry in Crystal Lake. In that case, authorities say Waters and Daniel T. Charneski of Cary hit the female clerk in the head with a lead pipe before stealing $735.

Waters also pleaded guilty to robbery in a holdup at another White Hen in Cary.

"We're pleased with the agreement," said Nichole Owens, chief of the criminal division in the McHenry County State's Attorney's office. "These were serious offenses that endangered the public safety."

Prosecutors have recommended a 30-year sentence for Waters. He is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18.

"It was important to the defendant that he take responsibility for his actions," said Michael Barrett, Waters' attorney. "It's not as though he's trying to get out of anything."