By Jennifer Keiper, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) The man, who feds say, led a violent robbery crew that targeted suburban cell phone stores will spend decades behind bars.
Eric Curtis of Forest Park was convicted of putting together a crew of robbers in 2013. Feds say he gave them guns and they hit cell phone stores in Addison, Norridge, Deerfield, and Woodridge.
Prosecutors also say the armed robbers terrorized store employees and customers and stole hundreds of cell phones then sold them and split the profit among the crew.
Eric Curtis, 32, was convicted on multiple counts of conspiracy, robbery, being a felon with a gun, and using a gun in a crime of violence. He has been sentenced to 57 years in prison.
Seven other members of the crew previously pleaded guilty..including Eric Rogers of Hazel Crest. As part of a plea agreement, Rogers says that the crew also robbed cell phone stores in Joliet and East Peoria, as well as a store in La Porte, Indiana . He is awaiting sentencing.
