Spring Valley teen pleads guilty to felony, agrees to flip on robbery suspects

A 17-year-old Spring Valley man pleaded guilty Tuesday to armed robbery and was released from the La Salle County Detention Home, but with a catch: He has to testify against three cohorts facing felony charges.

The teen pleaded guilty to armed robbery, a Class X felony. An adult would have faced 6 to 30 years in prison, but young offenders are subject to a more diverse array of sentencing options. In this case, the youth was placed on 18 months probation but could be needed back in court if prosecutors want his testimony in three companion cases.

The cases in question stem from a Sept. 28 robbery in which two people brandishing knives forced entry in a La Salle home. Facing charges for robbery are Tyler J. Briddick, 23, of Peru; Ethan B. Martin, 24, of La Salle; and Josue Bustos, 38, of La Salle.

La Salle police opened an investigation after a report of unlawful entry into a residence in the 500 block of Gooding Street involving the now-convicted teen, who also was identified as the assailant in the knifepoint robbery of a 62-year-old pedestrian in the 500 block of First Street.