Dupage Policy Journal

A Chicago man on parole for previous armed robberies has been sentenced to 38 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence follows his conviction for robbing a gas station and a convenience store at gunpoint on the same day in June 2021.

Robert Howard, 31, appeared at his sentencing hearing before Judge Daniel Guerin, who delivered the sentence. Howard had been in custody since June 23, 2021, when bond was denied. On July 25, 2024, he entered a blind plea of guilty to two counts of Armed Robbery with a Firearm.

The first incident occurred at approximately 2:42 p.m. on June 15, 2021. Officers from the Downers Grove Police Department responded to an armed robbery at the Speedway gas station located at 5004 Fairview Avenue. According to authorities, Howard entered the store, revealed a gun in his waistband to the clerk, and took cash from one register after threatening her life.

Later that day, around 3:38 p.m., Howard robbed a second location—the 7-11 convenience store on 14th Street in Oakbrook Terrace—where he brandished a handgun and stole approximately $400 from the cash register.

Authorities identified Howard as a suspect and executed a search warrant on his home on June 21, 2021. He was taken into custody after attempting to flee upon seeing officers at his residence.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin commented on the case: “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.” He added that Judge Guerin's sentence "sends the message that in DuPage County we respect the law."

Berlin also commended local police departments and Assistant State’s Attorney Alyssa Rabulinski for their efforts leading to Howard's significant sentence.