A 10-Year Sentence for Armed Robbery in River North
A man involved in an armed robbery that resulted in a victim being shot in River North has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Eric Purdis, 33, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and received the sentence from Judge Shelley Sutker-Dermer, as per court records.
The incident took place at around 5:30 a.m. on September 23, 2023, outside a convenience store on the 400 block of North State Street. Initially responding to reports of shots fired and a person shot, Chicago police found broken glass and shell casings but no injured individuals at the scene. However, a few hours later, a 29-year-old victim called for medical assistance on West 80th Place after being shot in the leg during the same robbery.
According to prosecutors, Purdis and two unidentified accomplices engaged the victims outside a 7-Eleven store before Purdis brandished a firearm and proceeded to rob them of personal belongings, including an iPhone, watch, and jewelry. One of the accomplices then fired a gun, injuring the 29-year-old victim in the thigh.
Purdis was apprehended by police about a week after the incident outside a hotel near State and Hubbard. He had previous felony convictions for possession of a firearm, possessing a stolen vehicle, and possessing a controlled substance. Despite being acquitted of armed robbery charges in February 2022, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for this latest offense.
As part of his sentence, Purdis must serve at least five years before being considered for release, with credit for 743 days earned while in county jail. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in criminal activities and the impact it can have on victims and communities.
