Rockford Man Convicted Of Murder, Armed Robbery In Naperville

NAPERVILLE, IL — A jury found a Rockford man guilty of murder and armed robbery in connection with the 2018 killing of Michael Armendariz.

Ernest Collins, 27, was one of three people facing charges in connection with the incident.

Police were called to Whispering Hills Drive on Jan. 18, 2018, for a report that Armendariz was missing since around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 14. An investigation led police to find that Armendariz had gotten a Snapchat from Cassandra Green, 26, Collins's codefendant, a news release said.

Police that after getting the Snapchat message, Armendariz got into a car that Green was driving and left his home. Collins is accused of getting up from the car's backseat and shooting Armendariz in the back of the head twice.

Collins and Green are accused of driving to the residence of Candice Jones, another co-defendant who is Collins's mother. Police say the three put Armendariz's body into a garbage can that they hid in Jones's garage and later moved to an unoccupied house next door.

Collins and Greens were accused of using Armendariz's keys to burglarize his house the next day.

After police found Armendariz's body, Green and Collins were arrested Feb. 4 and Jones was arrested Feb. 6.

“This afternoon, a jury found Ernest Collins guilty of firing two bullets into the back of Michael Armendariz’s head, killing him execution style,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “This senseless murder left Michael’s family and friends with just his memory as they continued their lives without him. While nothing can be done to bring Michael back to those who loved him, perhaps today’s guilty verdicts will bring some measure of solace knowing the man responsible for his murder will be held accountable.

Jones is set to appear in court Oct. 19 and Green on Oct. 16.