Romeoville Man Charged in Robbery Pleads Not Guilty

A Romeoville man charged in the robbery of a juvenile pleaded not guilty in DuPage County court Monday, according to Pioneer Local.

Kelechekwu Akuba, 20, was among three men charged in the March 7 robbery that took place in an unincorporated area near Clarendon Hills pleaded not guilty in DuPage County court Monday. 

Akuba, Leverenzel Booth and Jerron Wilbut made their pleas during separate hearings in front of Judge John Kinsella, who according to Pioneer Local informed the men that the state's attorney had filed aggravated robbery and armed robbery charges against the men in addition to the original robbery charges.

The armed robbery charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, Pioneer Local reports.

Akuba, of Romeoville, Booth, of Darien, and Wilbut, of Willowbrook, were all charged after they stole money and property from the juvenile, an acquaintance of the men, while displaying what the victim believed to be a handgun.

READ: 3 Men Charged With Robbing Juvenile Near Clarendon Hills

Sheriff's spokesperson Dawn Domrose told Patch just after the incident that the robbery took place in a car in the general area of 55th Street and Route 83 at approximately 4 p.m. Domrose said at the time the gun was not a real firearm, though she was not sure whether it was a toy gun, an air gun, or some other type of fake gun.

According to Pioneer Local, Booth is a former Hinsdale Central student and starter on the boys volleyball team.

Wilbut was a standout basketball player at Downers Grove South and had committed to play Division I hoops at Seton Hall next year.

Read the full Pioneer Local story here.

Editor's note: Joe O'Donnell wrote this article. 

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