A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office:

WAUKEGAN BROTHERS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR McHENRY BANK ROBBERY

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that

• Rashe K. Watkins, age 34, and
• Julius L. Watkins, age 30,

both of Waukegan, pleaded guilty today for their involvement in a McHenry armed robbery.

Rashe Watkins was sentenced to 21 years in prison, and Julius Watkins was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

On December 21, 2009, a male dressed in all black clothing entered the Payday Loans store in McHenry.

He asked to speak with a manager and removed a handgun from his person.

He told all the employees to put their hands in the air and asked where the safe was located.

Employees were restrained with zip-ties and approximately $9,000 was stolen from the store.

Rashe Watkins and Julius Watkins were ultimately identified as suspects and interviewed.

Rashe Watkins admitted to being the gunman who entered the store and stole the money.

Julius Watkins assisted in the commission of the crime by driving the getaway car.

The defendants are currently serving time in federal prison for their involvement in separate armed robberies.

Their sentences will run concurrent with their federal sentences.

This case was investigated by Sgt. Sciame of the City of McHenry Police Department and was prosecuted by Ryan Blackney of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.