DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Carol Stream Chief of Police Don Cummings announced that Judge Joshua Dieden has denied pre-trial release for Baltazar Perez-Estrada, charged with the murder of his wife, Maricela Simon Franco. Perez-Estrada, 33, is accused of stabbing Franco multiple times following a domestic dispute at her apartment.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres have announced that two men are being held without pre-trial release following their alleged possession of loaded firearms at a Naperville recreational facility. Judge Demetrios Panoushis granted the motion to deny pre-trial release for Dijon Lane, 34, from Blue Island, and Tavell Jackson, 44, from Maywood. Both individuals face charges in unrelated incidents.
DuPage County Council on Strengthening the System for Mental Health and Substance Use Care met Monday, March 25
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced the sentencing of Isaiah Johnson, one of two men involved in a series of home invasions and a shooting incident in Wheaton and Lombard, Illinois. Johnson has been sentenced to 72 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following his guilty plea to charges including Attempt Murder and Home Invasion. He will serve 50.7 years before being eligible for parole.
DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin has been recognized by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids with the 2024 Champion for Kids Award. This award was presented during the organization's annual Day at the Capitol event in Springfield. Berlin is acknowledged for his extensive support of initiatives that guide children away from crime towards more successful paths.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced that the court has denied a motion to detain pre-trial two Chicago men accused of stealing merchandise from an Elmhurst Walgreens. Jamar Beach, 37, and Ladontan Miles, 23, appeared in court charged with burglary and retail theft.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Westmont Chief of Police James Gunther announced that Judge Joshua Dieden has approved the state's request to detain a homeless man, Bryce Fleming, before trial. Fleming is accused of breaking into a Westmont home and stealing the homeowner's car. He faces charges of Residential Burglary, a Class 1 Felony, and Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, a Class 2 Felony.
DuPage County Judicial and Public Safety Committee met Tuesday, March 19
DuPage County Animal Services Committee met Tuesday, March 19
DuPage County Human Services Committee met Tuesday, March 19
A former firefighter from Naperville has been charged with official misconduct and other offenses related to the alleged theft of prescription drugs and a vehicle burglary. DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that Zachary Volland, 34, faces a five-count complaint. The charges include two counts of official misconduct, one count of burglary, one count of theft from the government, and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that Mitch Crawford, a former Westmont teen, has been sentenced to twenty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence comes after Crawford, now 17, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking for an incident that occurred when he was fifteen.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced the sentencing of Malik Pitts, 25, to sixty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Pitts was involved in home invasions in Wheaton and Lombard in August 2020. The sentence was delivered by Judge Margaret O’Connell following Pitts' guilty plea on July 31, 2023, to charges including Attempt Murder and Home Invasion.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin has announced the activation of an Election Day Hotline for the upcoming primary election. The hotline will be operational on March 19, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., coinciding with polling hours. Assistant State’s Attorneys will staff the hotline, and investigators along with local police officers will be ready to address any reported irregularities at polling locations in DuPage County.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that Brendan Wydajewski, a 24-year-old man from Naperville, has been sentenced to 18 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence follows a fatal crash in October 2021 that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. Wydajewski appeared before Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh and pled guilty to three counts of Aggravated DUI Causing Death, a Class 2 Felony.