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Former Aurora man convicted of 2011 attempted murder

A former Aurora man faces 10 to 30 years in prison after his conviction of attempted murder during a 2011 crime spree.

A Kane County jury deliberated about two hours late Thursday before finding Luis A. Lomeli, 40, of the 12800 block of Route 34, Plano, guilty of attempted first-degree murder, armed violence and armed robbery

Prosecutors said Lomeli, his girlfriend and two others were at a relative's home in Ottawa in May 2011 and decided they wanted to drink and get high but had no money. Lomeli devised a plan to drive to Aurora, his hometown, and rob someone. The four went to a bar on the 1400 block of East New York Street where Lomeli's girlfriend was to lure a patron outside to be robbed. But she took too long, and Lomeli decided to rob another person instead.

After asking the victim for a light for a cigarette, Lomeli began punching the victim and two others joined in, holding him down, taking his wallet and stabbing him 13 times before bar security intervened, prosecutors said.

The girlfriend was still inside when Lomeli and the other two men fled. They purchased drugs and drove to Montgomery intending to rob another victim but were unable to get money from the homeowner. The group then drove to Ottawa, bought more drugs, and then beat to death the person who sold them drugs.

Lomeli was convicted of first-degree murder in LaSalle County for the Ottawa murder and sentenced to 45 years in prison. He faces between 10 and 30 years in prison when sentenced by Kane County Judge James Hallock March 23. The sentence will be served consecutive to the 45-year term.

His case in Montgomery is pending.

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