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Walgreens Burglar Gets 15 Years

SKOKIE, Ill. (STMW) -- A Chicago man and habitual burglar will spend 15 years in prison for robbing a north suburban Walgreens of cigarettes and digital cameras last year.

Lawrence Todd Lemons, 51, of 1300 N. Sedgwick, was found guilty of commercial burglary for robbing the Walgreens at 635 Chicago Ave. in Evanston on Jan. 28, 2009, a release from Evanston police said.

Lemons was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Jan. 20 at the Skokie courthouse.

Police found the front windows of the store broken out and spotted Lemons nearby, carrying a clear plastic bag containing several packs of cigarettes. Once he saw police, he dropped the bag and ran. Officer apprehended him after a brief chase, the release said.

Police recovered the bag, which had 72 packs of cigarettes and five digital cameras still in their original packaging, the release said. Police also obtained video footage, which confirmed Lemons robbed the store.

Lemons had previously served time for at least four burglary convictions and several drug convictions, dating back to 1989, when he was sentenced to three years for burglary, according to the Illinois Dept. of Corrections website.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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