Man found guilty of September 2009 robbery of Loves Park Title Cash Store

From press release

Phillip Merritt, 58, was found guilty of the Sept. 26, 2009, armed robbery and aggravated robbery of the Title Cash Store at 1728 Riverside Blvd., Loves Park.

Merritt walked into the Title Cash Store Sept. 26 and asked the clerk about obtaining a loan. As the clerk started to explain the procedure to him, Merritt pulled a gun from his waistband and asked the clerk where the money was. The clerk gave Merritt $190 in cash from the desk drawer.

Minutes later, Loves Park Police observed a vehicle westbound on Riverside Boulevard that matched the description of a vehicle involved in another robbery the day before at the Cash Loan Store at 5919 N. Second St., Loves Park. The police pursued that vehicle, and the driver fled, ultimately crashing into a house at the corner of Clifford Avenue and East Drive.

After the crash, Merritt fled from the vehicle on foot. As he was running, he pulled an item from his waistband and threw it over a fence. After Merritt was apprehended, police located the item he threw over the fence and saw it was a BB gun, though it had the distinct appearance of a real firearm.

In Merritt’s vehicle, police located a blue bank bag marked “Title Cash Riverside.” Merritt also had $182 on his person. Another $10 was located in the path that Merritt ran after exiting his vehicle.

Armed robbery is a Class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Aggravated robbery is a Class 1 felony with a sentencing range of four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. However, Merritt is eligible for extended term based on his prior record. He faces six to 60 years on the armed robbery and four to 30 years on the aggravated robbery.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., May 17, before Judge Joseph G. McGraw.