Man gets 40 years in Round Lake robbery, sexual attack

Modesto Rico, 25, of Chicago, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and aggravated criminal sexual abuse during a hearing before Lake County Circuit Judge Fred Foreman.

Rico and his brother, Jose Rico, 38, of Round Lake, robbed a jewelry store in Round Lake of more than $200,000 in cash and jewels on Feb. 4, 2010.

Modesto Rico entered the store and encountered the owner’s wife, Assistant State’s Attorney Scot Hoffert said, and threatened her with a knife and a gun.

After collecting the money and the jewels, Modesto Rico sexually attacked her, then fled the store with his brother.

Jose Rico was sentenced to 14 years in prison June 22 after pleading guilty to armed robbery.

He admitted acting as the lookout during the robbery, and said he had no idea his brother was going to attack the woman inside the store.

At his sentencing hearing, Jose Rico claimed he and his brother had conspired with the store’s owner to fake a robbery of the store in an effort to collect insurance money.

Hoffert said there was no evidence to support that claim, and Modesto Rico did not repeat the accusation Thursday.

Charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated criminal sexual assault were dropped in exchange for Modesto Rico’s plea.