Two plead guilty in Hoffman Estates robbery
Two teenagers charged with a September 2012 armed robbery in Hoffman Estates pleaded guilty Thursday and were sentenced to prison.
Martin Jacobo, 16, of Schaumburg, and Erick Estrada, 16, of Hoffman Estates, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and were sentenced by Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta to seven and nine years in prison, respectively. They must complete at least 50 percent of their sentences before they are eligible for parole.
Both defendants voluntarily gave up their right to be tried as juveniles. Jacobo, however, has a residential burglary charge pending in juvenile court, prosecutors said.
About 11:55 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2012, Jacobo and Estrada - along with co-defendants Jose J. Gonzales, 21, of Hoffman Estates, and Tehron M. Sweet, 21, of Schaumburg - approached the victim and a friend who were sitting in a car in the 600 block of Bode Circle, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Crowe.
Crowe said Sweet announced the robbery and Estrada pointed a bludgeon at the victim and ordered him to empty his pockets.
The man turned over his cellphone and $3 to Estrada, who asked the victim if he was in a gang, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Robin Kerensky.
Jacobo received credit for 459 days in custody. Estrada received credit for 460 days in custody, prosecutors said.
Gonzales and Sweet go on trial before Fecarotta on April 4.