Man found guilty of 2009 armed robbery of Cash Loan Store in Loves Park

Online Staff Report

Phillip Merritt, 60, was found guilty of armed robbery and aggravated robbery May 30 in front of Judge Joe McGraw.

Sept. 25, 2009, Loves Park police were dispatched to the Cash Loan Store at 5919 N. Second St. in response to a report of an armed robbery. A store employee reported a male suspect came into the store and asked about a loan. At that time, the suspect reached down and pulled out what the employee believed to be a handgun. The suspect pointed the gun at the employee and demanded money. The employee then gave the suspect the money from the register. After the suspect left the store, the employee called 911.

Sept. 26, 2009, Merritt was apprehended after a report of an armed robbery to the Title Cash Store in Loves Park. Merritt matched the description given by the Cash Loan Store employee, and had a BB gun on his person at the time of his arrest.

Sept. 28, 2009, the victim identified Merritt from a photo lineup as the person who robbed the Cash Store Sept. 25, 2009.

Armed robbery is a class X felony with a sentencing range of six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections followed by three years mandatory supervised release.

Aggravated robbery is a class 1 felony with a sentencing range of four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by two years mandatory supervised release.

However, because of the defendant’s prior criminal history, he is eligible for extended-term sentence up to 60 years on armed robbery and 30 years on the aggravated robbery conviction.

The defendant was found guilty by a jury last year of the armed robbery to the Title Cash Store Sept. 26, 2009, and was sentenced to 30 years in IDOC.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., July 18, in Courtroom 209.

Posted June 7, 2012