Opinion ID: 2994197
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Prior State Robbery Convictions

Text: Brown’s crime spree began on March 23, 1998, when, according to an arrest report of the Harwood Heights, Illinois police department, he entered the Genesis Two Hands Down store and directed the employee to give him all the money from the drawer. Brown then ordered the employee to come to the front of the store and kneel down as he exited. Apparently impressed with his success, Brown struck again on April 16, 1998, when he robbed the Harwood Heights Life Uniform store. The arrest report indicates that the defendant entered the store, asked the employee if she was alone, and she replied in the affirmative. He then asked how much money was in the register and displayed a handgun in the waistband of his pants. After the employee handed over the currency in the drawer, he ordered her to get down on the floor as he exited the store./2
Apparently believing that his luck would never end, on April 30, 1998, the defendant held up another location. According to a Morton Grove, Illinois police report, the defendant entered a Shell Station Mini-Mart and ordered one of the employees to open the register. When the employee asked if he was kidding, Brown lifted his shirt and displayed a steel revolver in the waistline of his pants. The employee then opened the register and placed the cash drawer on the counter. Brown took the money from the drawer and told the employee to lie down on the floor for five minutes and if he got up, he would be shot by his accomplice who was watching./3
Proving the old proverb that all good things must come to an end, Brown’s final act of his crime spree occurred on May 9, 1998, when he entered the WorldWide Liquor store at 3500 N. Harlem, Chicago, walked to the counter and demanded money while lifting his shirt and displaying a handgun tucked in his belt. According to the Chicago police arrest report, the employee complied and gave Brown $150. Brown then ordered the employee to lie down on the floor and fled the scene./4