Three Chicago Men Indicted In Series Of Violent Robberies Of Retail Stores And Businesses Last Year In Chicago

CHICAGO — Three Chicago men were indicted on federal robbery conspiracy and other charges relating to series of a dozen armed hold-ups of retail stores and businesses last year in Chicago. In all, tens of thousands of dollars were taken in 12 robberies on the city’s northwest side between January and October 2012.

The defendants, ROBERT L. BERRIOS, 45; JULIO RODRIGUEZ, 31; and DAVID REVIS, 32, all of Chicago, were charged in a 19-count indictment that was returned yesterday by a federal grand jury. The charges were announced today by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Chicago Police Department assisted in the investigation.

The defendants, ROBERT L. BERRIOS, 45; JULIO RODRIGUEZ, 31; and DAVID REVIS, 32, all of Chicago, were charged in a 19-count indictment that was returned yesterday by a federal grand jury. The charges were announced today by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Chicago Police Department assisted in the investigation.

No date has been set yet for the defendants to be arraigned in U.S. District Court.

Berrios, also known as “Chazzo,” and Revis, aka “Red,” were arrested together on Nov. 6, 2012, as they were about to rob a currency exchange, according to court documents. Rodriguez, aka “Jelly,” was arrested on Dec. 17, 2012. All three were ordered detained in federal custody without bond.

As part of the conspiracy, the defendants allegedly identified commercial establishments as targets, obtained intelligence on the businesses before striking, and brandished firearms during the robberies. They allegedly agreed to, and did, physically restrain some employees of the victim businesses with zip ties, and concealed their identity by wearing masks and gloves.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of a .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun and 94 rounds of .22 caliber long rifle ammunition that were seized.

The indictment alleges the following robberies in which Berrios was charged alone or together with one of the co-defendants, as noted:

Jan 23, 2012 — Walgreens, 5140 W. Diversey;

July 1, 2012 — Walgreens, 5935 W. Addison;

July 28, 2012 — a currency exchange located at 2753 N. Ashland;

Aug. 15, 2012 — a currency exchange located at 2814 N. Milwaukee; Berrios and Revis;

Sept. 2, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 5355 W. Diversey;

Sept. 19, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 1552 W. Chicago; Berriois and Rodriguez;

Sept. 28, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 1958 W. Irving Park;

Oct. 2, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 4000 W. Fullerton; Berrios and Revis;

Oct. 13, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 3951 N. Kimball; Berrios and Rodriguez;

Oct. 16, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 3200 W. Armitage; Berrios and Rodriguez;

Oct. 22, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 3935 W. Belmont; Berrios and Rodriguez; and

Oct. 27, 2012 — a cellular telephone store located at 5355 W. Diversey.

The robbery conspiracy count and each count of intestate robbery carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The felon-in-possession of a firearm or ammunition counts carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime carries a mandatory consecutive term of 7 years and a maximum of life in prison, and each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The Government is being represented in court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Krull.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Indictment