“It’s not worth your life.”
That’s what 32-year-old Frederick Holmon said to his would-be victim on the morning of July 27, 2021 while brandishing a 9mm semi-automatic rifle. He was attempting to rob a delivery of wine and liquor to a Naperville Jewel store.
As it turned out, it is Holmon who will waste much of his life, in prison. He faces 15-30 years behind bars.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced yesterday that DuPage County Judge Mia McPherson has found Holmon guilty of two counts of Armed Violence (Class X Felony), one count of Attempt Armed Robbery with a Firearm, (Class 1 Felony), two counts of Unlawful Possession of Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Felon (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 2 Felony). On July 28, 2021, Holman appeared in Bond Court where his bond was set at $750,000 with 10% to apply. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.
On July 27, 2021, at approximately 8:51 a.m., Naperville police officers were dispatched to the Jewel grocery store located at 1759 West Ogden Avenue. During the investigation, they learned that the victim, a driver for a beverage supply company, was making a delivery of wine and liquor at the Jewel. Shortly after the victim pulled his truck up to the docking bay and began unloading pallets of liquor and wine, a male subject dressed in all black clothing, later identified as Holmon, approached the victim while armed with a 9mm semi-automatic rifle and told the victim “It’s not worth your life.”
The victim refused to turn over any property to the offender and ran towards a Jewel employee, yelling, “the guy’s got a gun.” At this time, Holmon ran to a Chevy Suburban, which was parked in a nearby strip mall and fled eastbound on Aurora Avenue. Naperville police observed Holmon’s vehicle a few minutes later and stopped the car near the area of Brookdale Road and Manchester Road. When searching the Suburban, officers recovered a 9mm semi-automatic rifle, a 9mm extended magazine with sixteen rounds and a .357 loaded revolver with six rounds. Holmon was taken into custody at this time.
“Brazen, violent gun crimes, such as those committed by Mr. Holmon, have no place in a civilized society,” Berlin said. “Judge McPherson’s guilt verdict today sends the message that in DuPage County, we will not tolerate such behavior and anyone who commits such a crime will be held accountable.”
Holmon’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 31, 2023, for return of the Pre-sentence Report. He faces a penalty of between fifteen to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
