Bond reduction denied for 18-year-old accused in Sycamore Walgreens armed robbery

SYCAMORE – A DeKalb County judge on Thursday denied a request to reduce a $600,000 bond for an 18-year-old accused of taking part in an armed robbery at a Sycamore Walgreens a week ago.

Mikevion C. Ingram, 18, of the 100 block of Flintride Drive in Rockford, was arrested and charged with armed robbery, a Class X felony, and attempted armed robbery, a Class 1 felony. If convicted of the more serious Class X felony, Ingram could face up to 30 years in prison.

Ingram is due back in court for his arraignment at 2:30 p.m. March 24.

No injuries were reported in the armed robbery which allegedly involved Ingram and two teenaged minors, Friday. Sycamore police believe a fourth person was involved in the incident which targeted pharmacy drugs and money, and are on the lookout for a stolen 2020 black Acura RDX.

The group of teenagers – including Ingram, a 16-year-old boy from Rockford and a 15-year-old boy from Beloit, Wisconsin – are accused of pointing firearms at employees at Walgreens and a nearby hotel. Police say the group demanded drugs and money before attempting to flee from officers who responded to the scene.

Ingram will remain held in DeKalb County Jail on the $600,000 bond, and would need to post $60,000 to be released.

In a virtual court hearing Thursday, public defender Chip Criswell asked DeKalb County Judge Marcy Buick to reduce Ingram’s bond to $20,000 or $30,000, requiring 10% to be released. He told the judge Ingram didn’t have $60,000 to post. He argued against prosecutors’ claims that Ingram is considered a danger to the public.

“I disagree with that,” Criswell said. “You’ve got a young man, 18 years old, going to school online, lives with his mother – I think a reduced bond and [electronic home monitoring] would suffice.”

DeKalb County Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Schwertley said he maintain’s Ingram’s threat to the public.

“They pointed their guns at innocent employees at Walgreens and Country Inn and Suites, as well as innocent bystanders,” Schwertley said.

According to Sycamore police, investigators believe at least three firearms were used in the incident, and found a 9mm gun which had been modified to be able to fire as a fully automatic weapon. A 32-round magazine was found loaded inside the gun.

Buick ruled the $600,000 bond should remain, “Given the allegations in this case,” she said.

[ Teenagers target prescription drugs, money in armed robbery at Sycamore Walgreens: police ]

According to DeKalb County court documents, Sycamore police responded to a 6:30 a.m. Friday call about an armed robbery at Walgreens, 1340 DeKalb Ave. When inside the store, police encountered three teenagers who were displaying handguns. Police caught two after the robbers fled in different directions.

A third, later identified as Ingram, fled to a next door hotel, records allege, where he was found and arrested. Ingram is also accused of pointing a gun at three employees of the Country Inn and Suites, 1450 S. Peace Road in Sycamore, demanding they give him their keys.

According to court documents, Ingram later admitted to Sycamore police that he took part in the Walgreens robbery and attempted to take keys from hotel employees.

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Rick Amato said Saturday his office is still trying to determine whether the two minors accused of participating in the robbery will be charged as adults.