WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Robert Belle, 29, (d.o.b. 04/21/1979) of Lombard was sentenced to ten years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the armed robbery of a Glendale Heights gas station.  On April 11 of this year, Belle entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Armed Robbery, a Class X Felony, in front of Judge Mark Dwyer. 

             The charges and today’s sentencing stem from allegations that on August 28, 2007, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Belle, armed with a handgun, entered a gas station located on the corner of Glen Ellyn Road and Armitage in Glendale Heights.  Once inside the gas station, Belle pulled the weapon and ordered the female cashier, who was alone at the time of the incident, to open the cash register.  Belle then took money from the register and fled the scene, at which time the cashier immediately contacted the Glendale Heights Police Department.  Belle was apprehended minutes later without incident.

            “Nearly one year ago, Mr. Belle armed himself with a handgun and entered that gas station intent on committing robbery,” remarked Birkett.  “I would like to thank the victim for having the presence of mind to immediately contact the police after this frightening experience.  If not for her courage that night, Mr. Belle may have gotten away with his crime.  I would also like to thank the Glendale Heights Police Department for their extremely quick apprehension of this armed and dangerous man as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Cronin for her work in putting this dangerous man behind bars.”

Belle will have to serve 50% of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

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