Christopher Ford, Robbery, Illinois 2013

A St. Louis man has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for his role in the robbery of a Chili's Bar and Grill in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Christopher Ford, 29, was sentenced on a charge of Interference with Commerce by Violence, a violation of the Hobbs Act, in connection with the robbery of the Chili's Bar and Grill on August 1, 2013.

Ford was arrested on the same day as the robbery and has been in custody since then. He will serve his prison sentence followed by a three-year term of supervised release and pay $1,883.30 in restitution.

The robbery occurred at approximately 9:24 p.m. when Ford and two co-defendants entered the restaurant, masked and armed with BB guns that resembled genuine semi-automatic firearms. They ordered the manager at gunpoint to open the safe, which contained a cash drawer and box.

Over twenty customers and employees were present in the restaurant during the robbery, and some of them were ordered to the back of the restaurant and the ground. An alert customer was able to record the Missouri license plate number of the getaway car and provide it to police during a 911 call.

Police officers quickly located the getaway car and apprehended the defendants after a chase in the City of St. Louis.

The case was investigated by the Fairview Heights Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne M. Garrison.

''While I am pleased to note that armed robberies of businesses have declined, I am still concerned that, as shown by the recent Circle K robbery near Belleville, the bad guys are not getting the message,'' said United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton. ''Again, I want these persons to know that they will be caught and they will do federal time far from their homes and families. My federal initiative will not cease until this kind of crime is eliminated. All of our citizens should feel safe in going to restaurants, convenience stores and gas stations. To ensure this, I will continue to use the Hobbs Act and every tool that I have to investigate and prosecute those who rob businesses engaging in interstate commerce.''

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/st-louis-man-sentenced-robbery-chilis-bar-and-grill