57-Year Prison Sentence for Leader of Violent Robbery Ring in Western Suburbs

WOODRIDGE, IL — A Park Forest man behind a spring of armed robberies has been sentenced to 57 years in prison. The “takeover style” robberies took place at cellphone stores throughout Chicago’s Western suburbs in 2013. The crews threatened store employees at gunpoint, stole cellphones and then sold them, splitting the profits.

Eric Curtis, 32, who headed up the crime ring, was convicted last year on three counts of using a firearm in a crime of violence, three counts of robbery, one count for being a felon possessing a firearm, and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. After reviewing evidence from Woodridge, Deerfield, Addison, Chicago, Joliet and other nearby police departments, U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras handed down the sentence.

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Seven other members were previously convicted in the cellphone heists and another ringleader is still awaiting sentencing.