Rockford man charged with armed robbery of Boost Mobile store in 2019 at DeKalb – Shaw Local

SYCAMORE — A Rockford man is facing criminal charges after police say he was one of five people who robbed a DeKalb Boost Mobile store at gunpoint in the summer of 2019.

Ahmari A. Cooper, 22, of the 1300 block of Garrison Avenue in Rockford, is charged with armed robbery, a Class X felony and aggravated robbery in the alleged August 3, 2019 incident, according to DeKalb County court records. If convicted of the most serious crime, armed robbery, Cooper could face up to 30 years in prison.

The robbery happened around 7 p.m. Aug. 3, according to court records, when a group of five people entered Boost Mobile’s cell phone store at 901 Lucinda Avenue, Unit G in DeKalb.

One of the men, identified by police as Jyrese Mallett, allegedly brandished a pistol and pointed it at the store’s employee, who is a youth, records show. The other four people, including Cooper, allegedly took items from the store, including cash from the register and cell phones.

Mallett was arrested in April 2020 and also charged with armed robbery, according to court records. Circuit Court Judge Philip Montgomery was awarded bail of $50,000. Mallett posted $5,000 bail on April 17, 2020, records show, and will next appear for a status hearing on his charges on September 14 before District Court Judge Marcy Buick.

Cooper appeared for a bond hearing outside Montgomery Monday and was represented by attorney Robert Carlson of the Dekalb County Public Defender’s Office. Montgomery posted a $500,000 bond for Cooper, who would have to post 10% of it, or $50,000 to get out of prison.

Montgomery said Cooper was on probation for a bank robbery.

Cooper is scheduled to appear at a status hearing on September 7 at 2:30 p.m. on the charges.