Lake in the Hills man gets five years for robbery

A 21-year-old Lake in the Hills man was sentenced to five years in prison Friday after admitting guilt to his part in the beating and robbery of a man at a Crystal Lake motel.

Brandon J. Kempkens pleaded guilty to robbery and a related charge of possession of a controlled substance stemming from the Sept. 9 incident in which, police aid, he and an accomplice targeted an acquaintance.

Kempkens had faced up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of robbery after a trial.

Police said that after a night of socializing with the victim at the Crystal Lake motel Sept. 8, Kempkens and a second suspect broke into the man's room early the next morning, punched and kicked him repeatedly and stole $262, a mobile phone and a $50 prepaid credit card.

"When you're talking about breaking into someone's room and robbing them, that's a violent act," McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi said.

The drug charge alleged police found cocaine in Kempkens' possession when he was arrested in connection with the robbery, authorities said.

Charges remain pending against Kempkens' co-defendant, Kurt Sahlberg, 21, of Crystal Lake.