Roderick Taylor, Armed Robbery, Illinois 2013

A 23-year-old man, Roderick Taylor, has been sentenced to over 9 years in prison for his involvement in an armed robbery at a Belleville liquor store in July 2013.

Taylor was convicted on three counts including Conspiracy to Commit Interference with Commerce by Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Robbery, and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

The armed robbery count arises from the federal Hobbs Act, which makes it a crime to obstruct, delay or affect interstate commerce by robbery.

According to documents filed in US District Court, Taylor, along with his co-defendants, Timothy Collier and Charmonequette Reynolds, planned and executed the robbery at Arena Liquor, located at 105 S. Belt E, Belleville, Illinois.

On July 12, 2013, Taylor and Collier entered the store, both armed with a firearm, and demanded money from the cash registers as well as personal belongings from the victims. They left the store with a large sum of United States currency and a cell phone belonging to one of the victims.

A witness who was driving near the store noticed Collier and Taylor running from the scene and followed them as they ran several blocks to their getaway vehicle. The witness recorded the license plates of the vehicle and gave the number to Belleville Police officers. Reynolds and Taylor were apprehended within hours of the robbery.

Taylor admitted his involvement in the planning and participation in the armed robbery of Arena Liquor and identified Collier and Reynolds as the other two individuals involved in the crime during a recorded interview with law enforcement.

This case was investigated by the Belleville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.

Taylor was sentenced to 9 years and 1 month in prison and will serve an additional 5 years of federal supervised release after his incarceration. He was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/man-sentenced-9-years-prison-armed-robbery-belleville-liquor-store