ROBBERIES

In Illinois there are five different types of robberies: simple, aggravated, armed, vehicular hijacking, and aggravated vehicular hijacking.

Simple robbery, also commonly referred to as “strong-armed robbery” is the act of taking property from another person by force. It is a Class 2 felony, punishable from 3 to 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Aggravated robbery adds the element of claiming to be armed with a weapon. It is a Class 1 felony. Armed robbery is just as it reads, committing a robbery while being armed with a weapon. Armed robbery is a Class X felony. If the State can prove a firearm was used, 15 years are automatically added to the Class X prison sentence.

Armed robberies are common in Chicago and very serious. The sentencing range for a Class X felony is 6 to 30 in the Illinois Department of Corrections. If the State proves a firearm was used during the robbery, the minimum sentence would be 21 years.

If a firearm is discharged during a robbery, 20 years are added. And if a victim is shot during the robbery, 25 years are added. It would be possible to be sentenced to 55 years in prison for shooting the victim during an armed robbery. And attempt murder charges could also be filed along with numerous weapons charges.

Vehicular Hijacking is taking a vehicle by force. It is a Class 1 felony. Aggravated vehicular hijacking is typically taking a vehicle while armed with a firearm. It is a Class X felony. As with armed robbery, 15, 20, or 25 years may be added if the same conditions were present.