Jordan Brewer, 23, plead guilty March 25 to the Class D Felony charge of stealing, according to court records.
Brewer mugged David Leong on October, 1 2018 while Mr. Leong was trying to help him.
Upon pleading guilty, he was sentenced to two years in the state Department of Correction.
David Leong will turn 100 years old in August and is a legend in Springfield for being the creator of cashew chicken.
He was born in China in 1920 and served in the US Army at D-Day.
Currently, he owns Leong’s Asian Diner on 1540 W. Republic Road and has lived in Springfield for 75 years.
When the crime occurred, Mr. Leong pulled over after being flagged down at South Franklin Avenue and West Katella Street, near Horace Mann Elementary School.
Brewer told Mr. Leong that he needed money because his vehicle was out of gas.
When Mr. Leong reached for his wallet, Brewer grabbed him by the shoulders and stole it.
Mr. Leong was not physically hurt and only lost $422 in cash in his wallet, but says he’s shocked something like this could happen to him in his hometown.
