Man Who Ambushed Naperville Pro Gambler For $50K Cash Sentenced

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Chicago man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for an in which he rear-ended a professional gambler, pulled him from his car, and stole more than $50,000 in cash in Naperville. Robert Chencinski, 48, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony count of robbery in the 2015 incident.

Authorities say Chencinski slammed his car into the back of the victim's vehicle on Aug. 10, 2015 at an intersection near the victim's Naperville home while the victim was en route to Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. Chencinski then got out of his car, went up to the victim's car, and reached through the open driver's side window to choke the victim, according to police.

Police say Chencinski then pulled the man from his car and stole a total of $51,500 in cash from him before fleeing on foot. Chencinski was later arrested after he was caught hiding in a nearby backyard.

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said of the sentence, "Mr. Chencinski’s decision to ambush, assault and rob an innocent man of more than $50,000 has indeed earned him every minute of the seventeen-year sentence handed down by Judge Miller."

Chencinski must serve 50 percent of the 17-year prison sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Image via DuPage County State's Attorney's Office