Grayslake man denies armed robbery

One of two Grayslake men accused of robbing another man at gunpoint in a parking lot pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Torrence Dupree, 24, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of armed robbery.

Assistant State's Attorney Matthew Demartini said Dupree and Steven Nowell, 19, both of the 100 block of Glen Drive, were in a parking lot outside some apartments in that block about 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 16.

A 24-year-old man from Long Grove was walking toward his car and talking on his cell phone when Dupree and Nowell approached him, Demartini said.

Dupree took a revolver from his waistband and held it to the man's neck, Demartini said, and demanded he surrender his belongings.

The man gave Dupree and Nowell his cell phone, $60 to $70 in cash and a backpack containing a graphic calculator and some college textbooks before fleeing, Demartini said.

The victim then drove to his girlfriend's house, which Demartini said was in the neighborhood, and called police.

He picked Dupree's photograph from a selection of photos shown to him by police, Demartini said.

Circuit Judge John Phillips scheduled a trial of the case for June 21 and ordered Dupree, who is being held on $500,000 bond, to appear in court again June 8.

Nowell, who is being held on $250,000 bond, has previously pleaded not guilty to armed robbery and also is due to appear in court June 8.