An Aurora man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in a terrifying armed robbery at a Verizon store in Lisle, Illinois. The man, Aaron Thompson, pleaded guilty to armed robbery with a firearm, a serious offense classified as a Class X felony.
Here’s what happened: On February 1, 2020, Aaron and his cousin, Ezekiel Thompson, entered the Verizon store at 1104 Ogden Avenue in Lisle. Both were wearing masks and carrying guns. According to prosecutors, things quickly turned dangerous when Ezekiel pointed his gun at the store’s only employee and ordered him to open a vault filled with cell phones.
The employee, scared for his life, begged the armed men to spare him. They forced him to load a duffel bag with expensive electronics before tying him up with zip ties. But they didn’t stop there. The suspects also stole the employee’s wallet, car keys, and vehicle before making their getaway.
Their escape didn’t last long. A coordinated effort by police departments from Lisle, Woodridge, Downers Grove, and Darien tracked the pair down. After a short foot chase in Woodridge, officers arrested them.
At Aaron’s sentencing, prosecutors pushed for a 45-year prison term, arguing that the crime showed no regard for the law or the victim’s life. However, Judge Brian Telander decided on a 22-year sentence instead.
Speaking about the case, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said the robbery was a chilling example of violent crime. He described how the store employee must have been paralyzed with fear, staring down the barrel of a loaded gun. Berlin praised the teamwork of law enforcement agencies and the efforts of Assistant State’s Attorneys Bethany Jackson and Adam Frahm, who built a strong case against Aaron.
Meanwhile, the case against Ezekiel Thompson is still ongoing. His next court date is scheduled for January 17.
This incident is a sobering reminder of how dangerous armed robberies can be, not just for the victims but also for the perpetrators, whose actions often lead to long prison sentences.
