Teen Charged In Weed-Related Armed Robbery Pleads Guilty To Theft

VERNON HILLS, IL — An 18-year-old pleaded guilty to theft after he was charged with armed robbery in connection with an incident in Vernon Hills over the summer. Juan Diego Luna, of Mundelein, allegedly contacted a Vernon Hills resident asking about some electronics the man posted on social media and arranged to buy some headphones before brandishing a real-looking gun and trying to rob the man, according to police reports obtained by Patch through a public records request.

According to the victim, who told police he already thought Luna was "shady" and blamed him for stealing from him in the past, Luna came over to buy some headphones for $270. While in his room, Luna allegedly saw a Gucci wallet and asked how much it would cost to buy that as well. Luna was told it would cost $330 for them both.

"How about for free?" Luna said, allegedly pulling out a silver and black handgun from his pocket, according to the reports.

"No, bro," the victim told police he responded.

"Don't make me bust it on you," Luna allegedly threatened.

A struggle ensued, according to the police reports. The victim told police he was able to knock the gun – which he believed was both real and loaded – out of Luna's hand, only for him to grab it again before running away. On the night of the reported robbery, a witness reported seeing the victim chasing a man with a gun while on the phone with police.

But Luna denied ever bringing a gun to the victim's house, saying a gun pictured on one of his social media accounts was a BB gun that belonged to a friend, according to the reports.

Luna told police he went over to the victim's house to "buy some weed," rather than to purchase electronics. He said he planned on purchasing an eighth of an ounce of marijuana. When he arrived he told investigators he smoked a joint with the victim, who then sold him some marijuana, which Luna thought was not enough.

Luna also said the victim "owed him two extra grams for shorting him on weed another time," according to the reports.

The two got into a struggle over the cannabis after Luna tried to take it without paying, and the victim threatened to call the police, Luna told investigators. He said he first thought the dealer was joking, "and thought it would be funny if he really was calling the police." Luna explained he initially fled the scene and hid from police because he was on probation and was afraid of any further contact with police.

Luna was initially charged in July with four counts of armed robbery and one court of aggravated robbery with a firearm, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty in August.

Then last month, Luna pleaded guilty to one count of theft of more than $500 on Oct. 20 in connection with the incident, records show. He was sentenced to 24 months of probation and served 89 days in jail, records show. He is prohibited from drinking or doing drugs and subject to urine testing. Luna was also sentenced to 50 hours of community service and required to pay court costs and fees.

_{Top photo: Juan Luna booking photograph | Vernon Hills PD}