North Chicago man denies robberies, burglaries
A North Chicago man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he used a BB gun to rob four Waukegan women and also broke into three cars.
Albert Evans, 54, could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of any of the four armed robberies. He could get additional sentences of up to seven years if convicted of the car burglaries.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ken LaRue said Evans, who was living in a hotel on Green Bay Road, was stopped by Waukegan police for a traffic violation on the night of Oct. 7.
Inside the car Evans was driving, LaRue said, police found property reported stolen in a series of car burglaries and a BB gun similar to one described by several robbery victims.
Evans was taken in for questioning, LaRue said, and eventually admitted his involvement in a series of crimes.
Police said Evans confessed to using the BB gun to rob women of their purses and other valuables on May 19, June 1, July 4 and Sept. 12.
In each robbery, LaRue said, women who were alone were targeted by a man who rushed up to them in the darkness and demanded their property while pointing the gun at them.
Evans also told police he broke into parked cars in Waukegan on April 1, May 5 and just before he was stopped by police, LaRue said.
Cash, electronics and other valuables were taken in the car burglaries, LaRue said.
Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial of the case for Jan. 6 and ordered Evans, who is held on $500,000 bail, to appear in court Dec. 21.