Willowbrook Man Sentenced After Robbing Darien Gas Station

WILLOWBROOK, IL — A Willowbrook man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to a gas station robbery in 2017. According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney, Tyrone Hammond, 26, entered a plea of guilty to one count of armed robbery with a firearm.

Hammond first appeared in bond court on Aug. 1, 2017, where bond was set at $500,000 with 10 percent to apply. He has remained in custody since that time, according to the State's Attorney.

On July 14, 2017, at 9:09 p.m., Hammond entered the Shell gas station at 8226 Cass Ave., in Darien. According to the State's Attorney, once inside the store, Hammond brought cookies to the clerk working at the cash register to purchase. When the clerk opened the drawer to the register, Hammond pulled out a gun, pointed it at the clerk and shouted “everything, everything” at the clerk. The clerk gave Hammond approximately $450 from the register. Following the robbery, Hammond fled the scene on foot.

Darien Police Department conducted an investigation into the robbery in which Hammond was identified as a suspect and subsequently taken into custody.

“I would like to commend the Darien Police Department for their outstanding job in identifying Mr. Hammond as a suspect in this case and for his ultimate apprehension,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a release. “Threatening a man at gunpoint who is trying to make an honest living will not be tolerated and anyone who engages in this type of brazen behavior will face significant consequences, as Mr. Hammond learned this afternoon."

Hammond will receive credit for the 358 days he has already served in custody. He will be required to serve 50 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Photo provided by DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.