Aurora man sentenced for armed robbery at Lisle Verizon store

An Aurora man has been sentenced to 22 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for his role in an armed robbery at a Verizon store in Lisle.

The sentence followed Aaron Thompson's guilty plea to one count of armed robbery with a firearm, a Class X felony.

What we know:

According to prosecutors, the crime occurred on Feb. 1, 2020, when Aaron and his cousin, Ezekiel Thompson, entered the store located at 1104 Ogden Ave. while armed and wearing masks.

Once inside, Ezekiel allegedly pointed a gun at the store’s lone employee, ordering him to open a vault containing cellphones. The employee, at one point begging for his life, was forced to fill a duffel bag with electronics.

After binding the employee with zip ties, prosecutors said the suspects stole his wallet, car keys, and vehicle before fleeing.

A multi-agency police investigation led to their arrest in Woodridge following a brief foot chase.

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors requested the maximum penalty of 45 years, but Judge Brian Telander imposed a 22-year sentence for Aaron.

Aaron Thompson

What they're saying:

"It is alleged that without care or concern for the rule of law, Aaron Thompson and his cousin armed themselves with a gun, disguised their identity and threatened at gunpoint an innocent store employee to the point of forcing the employee to literally beg for his life," DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.

"I cannot begin to imagine the fear that employee must have experienced as he looked down the barrel of a loaded gun. This type of violent crime must be met head on and through the cooperative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies including the Lisle, Woodridge, Downers Grove and Darien Police Departments, Aaron Thompson was taken into custody. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Bethany Jackson and Adam Frahm for their efforts in preparing a strong case against this defendant."

What's next:

The case against co-defendant Ezekiel Thompson is ongoing, with a court date scheduled for Jan. 17.

Crime and Public SafetyLisleAuroraNews