McHenry man sentenced to 5 years in prison for Mariano’s robbery

A 31-year-old McHenry man was sentenced to five years in prison for robbery after prosecutors said he pulled a knife out of his pocket and pushed a shopping cart into an employee at the Mariano’s grocery store in Crystal Lake.

David O. Harper was charged in May with two counts of aggravated battery in which the victim is at least 60 years old, two counts of aggravated battery in a public place, aggravated assault using a deadly weapon, armed robbery, two counts of aggravated robbery, theft and retail theft.

He was accused of attempting to steal merchandise from Mariano’s in Crystal Lake, according to the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office. When an employee tried to stop him, he pushed a shopping cart into the employee and pulled a knife out of his pocket.

Harper escaped the Mariano’s parking lot but was detained nearby, according to the release.

As part of a negotiated plea deal last week, Harper agreed to plead guilty to aggravated robbery, a Class 1 felony, and prosecutors dismissed the other charges, court records show.

Judge Robert Wilbrandt sentenced Harper to five years in prison, which will be served at 50%, according to court records. He will receive credit for the 182 days he spent in custody.

Wilbrandt also recommended Harper be placed in a substance abuse program but that determination is up to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Harper was sentenced to probation in October 2018 after police said he stole two cars earlier that year, the Northwest Herald reported at the time. Part of that probation was to be served in a recovery center.