An Aurora man has been sent to prison for his role in a violent North Aurora home invasion that left a couple terrorized and a dog dead.

Quintin D. Mullen, of the 1700 block of Felten Road, Aurora, was sentenced Wednesday, April 23, 2014, by Circuit Judge Karen Simpson to 23 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Mullen was convicted Feb. 4, 2014, by Judge Simpson of home invasion, armed violence, and armed robbery, all Class X felonies, two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, each a Class 1 felony, two counts of aggravated unlawful restraint, each a Class 3 felony, and aggravated animal cruelty, a Class 4 felony.

On March 1, 2013, Mullen and a man who has not been identified to authorities entered the victims’ home in the 200 block of Laurel Drive, North Aurora. The unidentified man pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot the two victims if they did not remain seated on the sofa. Mullen, whom the victims had known previously and considered a friend, then ran upstairs in search of a safe he knew contained money. While Mullen was upstairs, the gunman shot the victims’ pit bull terrier mix named Sunny three times. The men then left with the safe and cash. The dog soon died.

According to Illinois law, Mullen is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He receives credit for at least 413 days served in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest.

“A person who is so greedy that he would betray his friends for money when given the opportunity to do so, particularly as Mr. Mullen did, belongs in prison,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

Anyone with information about the identity or location of the gunman should call the North Aurora Police Department at (630) 897-8705.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Christine Bayer and Alex Bederka.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release