A Harvard man who robbed an elderly female clerk at a Crystal Lake gas station, fled in a stolen car and ran from police last year was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Joseph D. Hunter, 34, of the 700 block of University Street in Harvard, was charged with aggravated robbery, theft, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting a peace officer.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office reached a negotiated plea deal with Hunter.
The man pleaded guilty to one count of robbery of a victim over the age of 60. In exchange, prosecutors dropped his other charges.
McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrant sentenced Hunter to eight years in prison on Thursday.
The robbery occurred around 12:40 a.m. February 3, 2020, at the Circle K gas station, 220 Virginia Street in Crystal Lake.
Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski said at the time that officers learned a man, identified as Hunter, entered the store and implied he was armed with a handgun.
Hunter demanded cash from the female employee, who was over the age of 60, and then fled the store with the cash.
According to a criminal complaint, Hunter put his hands in his shirt pocket and pushed outwards to pretend he had a gun and then counted down from 10 in order for the clerk to hand over the money.
Hunter fled the scene after getting approximately $35 in cash, the complaint said. No injuries were reported.
Later that same morning, the Harvard Police Department located a stolen vehicle in the alley behind the 60 block of North Ayer Street.
Harvard Police Chief Mark Krause said at the time that officers attempted to make contact with Hunter, who was walking away from the vehicle. Hunter ran from officers but was taken into custody a short time later.
Hunter remains in the McHenry County Jail awaiting transport to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The case was investigated by the Crystal Lake Police Department and prosecuted by Brian Miller of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.