38-year sentence handed down to man who robbed suburban convenience store, gas station on same day while on parole

DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill. — A man who robbed a convenience store and a gas station at gunpoint on the same day in 2021 was handed a 38-year prison sentence this week.

According to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, 31-year-old Robert Howard, a former Chicago resident who was out on parole for two armed robberies out of Cook County, was handed the nearly four-decade sentence on Thursday after entering a blind plea of guilty to two counts of armed robbery with a firearm in late July.

Prosecutors said the charges stemmed from two armed robberies that unfolded less than an hour apart on the same day.

It all started after Downers Grove police were called to the scene of an armed robbery at a Speedway gas station in the 5004 block of Fairview Avenue in Downers Grove, just after 2:40 p.m. on June 15, 2021.

Following an investigation, authorities said Howard had entered the store and removed an item from the cooler before walking to the counter where the register was located. He then revealed to the clerk that he was armed with a gun and walked behind the counter and demanded she open one of the cash registers.

Prosecutors said after removing money from the register, Howard then pulled out the gun and pointed it at her before he said “Open the register, I’m gonna shoot you if you don’t give me the money.”

The clerk was unable to open the second register and prosecutors said that was when Howard took two packs of Newport 100 cigarettes and fled from the scene on foot.

An investigation later revealed that less than an hour later, at around 3:38 p.m., Howard robbed a 7-11 at gunpoint in Oakbrook Terrace.

According to police, Howard entered the convenience store along 14th Street and requested a job application. He then filled it out as he waited for the store to clear out.

Howard then approached the store clerk, pulled out a gun and took around $400 from the cash register before fleeing the scene.

After the first robbery, authorities identified Howard as a suspect in the case and executed a search warrant at his home on June 21, 2021.

Prosecutors said while authorities were at the home, Howard arrived for a meeting with his parole officer that was scheduled for the same day.

After spotting officers at his home, Howard attempted to flee the scene on foot, but he tripped and fell and was taken into custody.

At the time of his arrest, authorities said they recovered a loaded semiautomatic handgun from his waistband that matched the description of the weapon used in the Speedway robbery.

Authorities were later clued into the second robbery following his arrest.

“On parole for less than seven months, Mr. Howard has no business being in possession of a loaded handgun, let alone terrorizing two hard-working individuals at gunpoint to commit two armed robberies,” Berlin said. “Mr. Howard’s repeated criminal behavior demonstrates his complete disregard for the rule of law and public safety. Judge Guerin’s thirty-eight-year sentence, however, sends the message that in DuPage County, we respect the law, and anyone found guilty of armed, violent criminal behavior will be held accountable. I commend the Downers Grove and Oakbrook Terrace Police Department for their outstanding efforts in this case which ultimately led to a significant sentence of thirty-eight years behind bars. I thank Assistant State’s Attorney Alyssa Rabulinski for her efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Howard.”

Howard appeared in court for a sentencing hearing on June 23, 2021, where Judge Daniel Guerin denied his bond. He has since remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail.

Due to his criminal history, Howard was extended term eligible, so his sentencing range for the two robberies was 21 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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