Metal Pipe-Wielding Robber Sentenced To 2 Years Probation

SKOKIE, IL — An Evanston man was sentenced to two years probation this month after he admitted he robbed a Skokie teen with a metal pipe. Police said a pipe-wielding robber had posed as the ex-girlfriend of his victim in a series of messages on social media, asking him to bring "weed or money" to a empty house in the 8700 block Avers Avenue on Jan. 14, 2018.

Anthony Strachan, 20, of the 1400 block of Brummel Avenue, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery on April 12 in exchange for prosecutors dropping charges of armed robbery, robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to court records.

According to Skokie police, Strachan, then 19, attacked the 18-year-old Skokie resident with the pipe, striking him on the thigh and demanding he hand over his wallet. The victim turned over a wallet with $52 and some other items inside and called police after his attacker left.

Detectives quickly identified Strachan from photographs on the social media service he had used to message the victim, and within five hours Strachan was arrested, police said.

Under the terms of his mental health court probation, Strachan must follow all recommendations of the court team and stay away from the victim. He is forbidden from consuming any alcohol, cannabis or any other illegal substance. Strachan also must submit DNA for indexing, remain at home in Cook County through the end of the supervision and pay $480 in court fees.

Earlier: Facebook Armed Robbery Leads To Arrest Of Evanston Teen