Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that charges have been filed against four Chicago residents for allegedly stealing merchandise from two Oak Brook stores in separate incidents. Talia Martinez-Pacheco, 23, Santiago Rojas-Galea, 18, Cheryl Gryer, 26, and Daiveon Watson, 21, each appeared at First Appearance Court yesterday morning charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony).

It is alleged that on August 21, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Martinez-Pacheco and Rojas-Galea entered the Macy’s department store located at 1 Oakbrook Center, selected numerous items of clothing valued at approximately $2,378.87 and exited the store without paying. In a separate incident on the same day at around 6:00 p.m., Gryer and Watson went to the Nordstrom department store located at 10 Oakbrook Center. It is further alleged that Watson entered the store, selected clothing items worth about $834.74 and exited without payment. Following an investigation into these incidents, all four defendants were taken into custody without incident.

“As evidenced by these recent arrests, law enforcement in DuPage County remains on the lookout for anyone who would attempt to steal from any of our retail establishments,” Berlin said. “Make no mistake if you are caught stealing in DuPage County; you will be arrested, charged and prosecuted. For their alleged behavior, if found guilty, the four defendants in these two cases will find themselves facing a possible prison sentence of up to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their continued efforts in protecting our local businesses and their patrons. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Adam Frahm and Michael Paup for their work in securing charges against these four individuals.”

“These two cases exemplify the Oak Brook Police Department’s commitment to keeping our community safe,” Strockis said. “It also shows how strong our partnership with loss prevention continues to be. I'd like to thank our officers for their hard work. I'd also like to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their assistance and appropriate charges on these cases.”

The next court date for Martinez-Pacheco and Rojas-Galea is scheduled for September 16, 2024, for arraignment before Judge Mia McPherson. The next court date for Gryer and Watson is scheduled for September 9, 2024, before Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial where it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.