by: John Clark
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The latest member of a group of 9 men who conspired to commit violent robberies at cell phone stores across northern Illinois has been sentenced to 7 years in federal prison.
Katrail Bridges, 32, was convicted in March of conspiracy to commit robbery for taking part in robberies at the Best Buy store in DeKalb on December 2nd, 2016, and a Simply Mac store at the Cherry Vale Mall on December 16th, 2016.
“During these robberies, the members of the group used pepper spray against employees to gain compliance and to escape with merchandise. The group stole over $22,000 worth of merchandise during these two robberies,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement.
One of the co-conspirators, Christopher Taylor, waited outside the store and punched an employee who was returning to the store while the robbery was in progress, and took his cell phone.
The store shut down about a month later.
Eight other men have been charged as part of the federal investigation into the crime spree.
Taylor was sentenced to 10 years in 2023. Another man, Yahsmine Odom, of Chicago, was sentenced to 4 years.
Other stores hit by the robbers included cell phone stores and Best Buys in Burbank, Illinois, and Valparaiso, Indiana.
