Four men accused of robbing an Uber driver at gunpoint while undercover Chicago police officers looked on have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from eight to 11 years.
The group included 19-year-old Renard McGee of DeKalb, along with Chicago residents Lawrence Norwood, 19, Omari Gunn, 20, and Jaquan Martin, 21. A 17-year-old boy was also charged in juvenile court.
Officials said an undercover police unit assigned to the city’s carjacking task force was working near Ohio Street and Harding Avenue around 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2024, when they saw the robbery unfold.
Five offenders, armed with three guns including an AK-47, confronted a 27-year-old Uber driver, stealing his wallet and phones before fleeing in a stolen Dodge Charger.
The covert unit immediately alerted dispatchers and tracked the vehicle with help from other undercover officers, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and a CPD helicopter. The Charger eventually stopped in the 5000 block of West Quincy Street, where officers saw the suspects run into a residence.
Court filings say the home belonged to Gunn’s mother, who gave officers permission to enter. Six males were inside. Gunn’s mother identified one as not involved, and police arrested the remaining five. McGee was found in a hallway closet, Norwood in the living room, Martin in a bedroom, and Gunn hiding in a bedroom closet.
Prosecutors alleged Norwood was armed with the AK-47 and that Gunn received a $250 CashApp payment from the victim immediately after the robbery. They also said the Dodge Charger had been stolen in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
On Friday, Martin became the last of the adult defendants to be sentenced, pleading guilty to armed robbery in exchange for a nine-year term from Judge Diana Kenworthy.
McGee pleaded guilty to armed robbery with a firearm on August 1 and was sentenced to 11 years. Norwood pleaded guilty to armed robbery on June 17 and received eight years. Gunn entered his guilty plea on March 17 and was sentenced to 10 years.
Prosecutors dropped unrelated felony cases against McGee, Norwood, and Martin as part of their plea deals. Gunn did not have other pending cases.
Under Illinois law, each of the men will serve half of their sentences with credit for good behavior.
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