Posted on April 28th, 2010
Champaign County Judge Tom Difanis sentenced an Urbana man to seven years in prison for attempting to shoplift from a Meijer store on 2401 N. Prospect Ave. December 17, 2009.
The prosecution alleged that the Urbana man was in the store for close to an hour before entering the woman’s bathroom with merchandise he had not paid for. When store security followed him and found the items on his person, they called the police.
The man has a prior record of convictions for burglary and possession of a stolen car.
The sentence imposed on this man is excessive, especially given that he shows no predilection towards violent crimes. If you need legal counsel or representation in a criminal defense case, contact the Champaign criminal defense lawyers of Thomas A. Bruno and Associates at 217-328-6000 today.
Posted on April 20th, 2010
A 50-year-old Champaign man has been charged with three counts of aggravated battery for allegedly attacking a 40-year-old Champaign parking enforcement officer last Thursday.
The parking officer was attempting to put a boot on the 50-year-old man’s car because records showed a large number of unpaid parking tickets. While he was doing this the 50-year-old man returned to his car, parked near the 300 block of West Maple Street. The officer has accused the man of using the car door to hit him before getting into the car and backing it up, hitting the officer’s shins.
The driver then fled the scene but was apprehended by police shortly after. If convicted of this Class 3 felony he faces punishment ranging from probation to five years in prison.
If you have been accused of a violent crime or need legal counsel in the area of what qualifies as assault, contact the Champaign assault & battery defense lawyers of Thomas A. Bruno and Associates at 217-328-6000 today.
Posted on April 13th, 2010
DNA evidence has been used to link a suspect to the Dec. 28 burglary of the Beta Sigma Psi fraternity, 706 W. Ohio St., Urbana. According to Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Kanis, a fraternity member who lives locally reported the burglary after finding a broken window leading to the house’s common area. An Xbox console and several games were missing.
The fraternity member noticed a soda can that did not belong to any members and gave it to police. Now, three months later, police have linked DNA found on the can to a 25-year-old who has a previous conviction for a burglary in Missouri. If found guilty in this burglary he faces four to fifteen years in prison.
Have you been charged with a burglary or need legal advice regarding your options if you have been accused of a burglary? Contact the Champaign criminal defense lawyers of Thomas A. Bruno and Associates at 217-328-6000 today.
Posted on April 6th, 2010
Last Friday, police investigated a northeast Champaign house following a reports of a fight. Neighbors had called police to report sounds of a fight from the house. When police arrived, they found a dead woman.
Police have detained a suspect but have not arrested him. According to a police spokesperson, the death is now being investigated as a murder. Police are currently searching for the woman’s brother, who neighbors say might have been living with her. Neighbors describe the woman as friendly and as having no particular arguments or problems with others.
If you have been accused of a serious crime or are seeking legal counsel in regards to a violent crime, contact the Champaign criminal defense lawyers of Thomas A. Bruno and Associates at 217-328-6000 today.
Posted on April 2nd, 2010
The Champaign Police Department announced this week that violent crime has decreased 50.6 percent in the past 15 years. According to the report, violent crime includes homicide, sexual assault, robbery and assault and battery.
The decrease in crime on the Illinois campus may have been due to a crime alerts system. In 2009, campus police reported 217 violent crimes.
If you or anyone you know has been charged with a violent crime, contact the Champaign criminal defense attorneys of Thomas A. Bruno & Associates at 217-328-6000.
