Naperville Man Who Held Up Businesses With Fake Gun Gets 12 Years

NAPERVILLE, IL — A man who police say used a fake plastic gun to rob businesses in Naperville and Woodridge was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday. Ryan Dougherty, 31, of the 1900 block of Nutmeg Lane, Naperville, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery in connection with the incidents, which took place in 2017 and 2018.

Prosecutors say Dougherty was also found to be responsible for four other robberies that took place in the area.

Police say that on Dec. 3, 2017, Dougherty entered an Arby's in Naperville and demanded money while showing employees a note that claimed he had a firearm. He also displayed what appeared to be the butt of a gun, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Dougherty was accused of using the same tactic to rob a dry cleaning business in Woodridge on Jan. 3, 2018. On Jan. 12, 2018, police took Dougherty into custody following an investigation that revealed he had used a "plastic, realistic firearm replica," a news release said.

"I commend The Naperville and Woodridge Police Departments for their outstanding job in identifying Mr. Dougherty as a suspect in these robberies and for his ultimate apprehension," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin continued, “Threatening employees at gunpoint who are just 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. Dougherty has now learned."

Dougherty, who will receive credit for the 1,310 days he has been in custody, must serve 50 percent of his 12-year sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.