States Attorney
Oswego Man Gets 20 Years in Robbery Spree
WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett today announced that Ryan J. Gwynne, 29, (d.o.b. 6/18/78) of 523 Wabaunsee Circle, Oswego, was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in connection with a string of robberies at businesses located in southern DuPage County.
The charges and today’s sentencing are the result of allegations that during November and December 2006, Gwynne went to fifteen DuPage County businesses armed with an air-gun and demanded either money or merchandise from employees. Gwynne targeted businesses located in Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Lisle, Naperville, Westmont and Woodridge in southern DuPage County.
On May 9 Gwynne entered a blind plea of guilty to two counts of Armed Robbery, each a Class X Felony, in front of Judge Perry Thompson. Gwynne was eligible for up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
“Time and time again, Mr. Gwynne armed himself, entered these businesses and at gun point demanded money or merchandise” commented Birkett. “For slightly more than one month he terrorized businesses throughout DuPage County. Every day business owners and their employees would wake up wondering if today was the day they would become Mr. Gwynne’s next victim.” Birkett went on to praise the agencies involved in Gwynne’s apprehension. “I would like to commend the police departments from each of the municipalities victimized by Mr. Gwynne’s crime spree as well as the U.S. Marshall’s Office and the Oswego Police Department,” commented Birkett. “Their cooperative efforts are a tremendous example of law enforcement working together to rid the streets of a dangerous man. I am very grateful to all those involved that we were able to get Mr. Gwynne off the streets of DuPage County before anyone was harmed. I would also like to thank Judge Perry Thompson for his sentence ensuring that Mr. Gwynne will be unable to claim any more victims for a very long time.”
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