2 men sentenced to prison in DeKalb robbery

SYCAMORE – Two 28-year-old men accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in July 2012 after they robbed a DeKalb store at gunpoint were sentenced to prison Monday as part of negotiated agreements.

Maurice Mullen, of the 700 block of Gillette Avenue, Aurora, and Ryan Joyner-Pool, of the 1900 block of Kevin Drive, Montgomery, both pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated robbery in exchange for prosecutors dropping all other charges.

Mullen was sentenced to 131/2 years in prison, and Joyner-Pool was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

DeKalb police said both men were armed July 10, 2012, when they entered the AT&T store on Sycamore Road in DeKalb, ordered about five employees to the ground and stole $21,000 worth of merchandise.

The men sped off in a tan Pontiac Grand Prix after police tried to stop them, traveling more than 100 mph on Peace Road, police have said. The chase ended when the men crashed into another car at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Peace Road. Both men ran from the vehicle, but police soon caught them.

Defense attorney Dan Transier, who represents Joyner-Pool, said his client told him he committed the crime because of his cocaine addiction, so Transier suggested Joyner-Pool seek drug treatment in prison.

DeKalb County Assistant State’s Attorney Duke Harris agreed to the treatment, warning that failure to complete a drug treatment program could affect good time credit in prison.

Joyner-Pool and Mullen will receive credit for the 607 days, or about one year and eight months, for the time they each spent in jail. Both men have prior convictions for robbery, and Mullen has prior convictions for unlawful use of weapons, Harris said.

When they are released from prison, Joyner-Pool will serve two years of parole and Mullen will serve three years of parole.