Stick-Up Man With World War II Gun Sentenced To 10 Years

PALATINE, IL — A frequent customer at a Palatine gas station was sentenced to 10 years after confessing that he used an unloaded and rusted World War II-era, semiautomatic handgun to hold up the business, according to the Daily Herald. Stephen Roche, 58, of Palatine, received that sentence as part of a deal with prosecutors for pleading guilty to armed robbery, the report stated. Without the plea deal, Roche was facing a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted.

According to Palatine police, Roche walked in to the station in the 0-100 block of Northwest Highway at about 11:20 a.m. Jan. 12, and pulled out the World War II-relic weapon, which was given to him by his father. He then ordered the clerk to empty the register, which he did, along with pushing the station's panic button that's wired to the police department. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Palatine news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

RELATED: Regular Customer With World War II Gun Accused Of Holding Up Gas Station

Roche was accused of stealing $340 in cash from the register and a carton of cigarettes. The clerk called police from a gas station across the street, and Roche was found a block from the crime scene with the gun still in his possession.

Along with the 10-year sentence, Roche was fined $654, the Herald reports. His sentence also was credited with 194 days for his time already in custody, the report added.

More via the Daily Herald

Stephen Roche, 58 (Photo via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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