Armed Robbery Crew Leader Convicted In 2012 Heists

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago man was convicted by a federal jury Thursday of leading a crew of armed robbers that pulled off heists targeting nine cellphone stores and other businesses on the North and Northwest sides in 2012, according to the U.S. attorney's office Friday. Robert L. Berrios, 50, was found guilty of the 12 counts of robbery, firearm and conspiracy charges he faced following his eight-day trial. He could receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 22 years in prison or a maximum life sentence.

Berrios was the last member of the four-man crew to be convicted in the heists. Luis Diaz, 33, David Revis, 37, and Julio Rodriguez, 36, all pleaded guilty in the robberies. Diaz was sentenced to three years, Revis to 15 years, and Rodriguez is awaiting sentencing.

According to prosecutors, Berrios and his crew would research the businesses they targeted, gathering information about store hours and staffing. During the heists, which landed the men tens of thousands of dollars in cash and phones, the crew would wear masks, threaten employees with guns and use zip ties to restrain workers, the feds said.

Berrios was convicted in connection with the following 2012 armed robberies in Chicago:

• July 1: Walgreens, 5935 W. Addison St.
• July 28: Currency Exchange, 2753 N. Ashland Ave.
• Aug. 15: Currency Exchange, 2814 N. Milwaukee Ave.
• Sept. 19: T-Mobile Store, 1552 W. Chicago Ave.
• Sept. 28: T-Mobile Store, 1958 W. Irving Park Road
• Oct. 2: T-Mobile Store, 4000 W. Fullerton Ave.
• Oct. 13: T-Mobile Store, 3951 N. Kimball Ave.
• Oct. 16: Cricket Wireless Store, 3200 W. Armitage Ave.
• Oct. 22: AT&T Store, 3955 W. Belmont Ave.

Sentencing Berrios is set for March 22.

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