DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police P.J. Youker announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for the second of three men accused of carjacking a man at gunpoint and then leading police on a high-speed chase. Daveon Givens, 24 (d.o.b. 4/21/2002) of the 1200 block of Johnson Drive, Buffalo Grove, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class X Felony) one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police P.J. Youker announced today that Judge Louis Aranda has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of carjacking a man at gunpoint and then leading police on a high-speed chase. Andrew Strong, 25 (d.o.b. 5/15/2001) of the 100 block of N. Laramie Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class X Felony) one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).

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On Tuesday, June 23, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin appeared before the DuPage County Board to present a plan to create DuPage County’s first Digital Forensics Unit within the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. Berlin’s presentation focused on “Digital Device Data” (DDD), which is contained on a variety of digital devices from smart phones and watches, to tablets, laptops, and more. Accordingly, DDD, when properly obtained pursuant to a search warrant, can be a crucial source of evidence in criminal investigations for law enforcement. However, the amount of DDD available for criminal investigations has increased faster than law enforcement’s capacity for retrieving, storing, and analyzing it. Digital forensics is the process of collecting, preserving, and analyzing DDD so that it can be used as reliable evidence in investigations and court proceedings.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that the second of four men accused of robbing at gunpoint a Wheaton T-Mobile store in May 2022 has been sentenced to twenty-eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Imari Paxton, 28 (d.o.b. 12/14/1997) formerly of Chicago, appeared at his sentencing hearing this afternoon in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell, who handed down the sentence. On April 28, 2026, Paxton entered a plea of guilty to one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony. In exchange for his guilty plea, the State agreed to not recommend a sentence in excess of thirty-three years in the IDOC. Paxton has been held in custody at the DuPage County Jail since October 26, 2022, after Judge O’Connell granted the State’s motion to deny him bond. On April 23, 2025, one of Paxton’s accomplices, Marcus Melton, 32 (d.o.b. 2/25/1994), formerly of Lafayette, Indiana, entered a plea of guilty to the same count and received a sentence of twenty-one years in the IDOC.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Hanover Park Chief of Police Andrew Johnson announced today that Judge Timothy McJoynt has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Hanover Park man accused of repeatedly Sexually Assaulting, Beating and Kidnapping his girlfriend. Jose Rojas-Alcocer, 32 (d.o.b. 4/9/1994) of the 6200 block of Kit Carson Drive, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with three counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Kidnapping (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Domestic Battery (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony).

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On Friday, May 15, 2026, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin, Duo Dog Crew, and members of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, including members assigned to Crew and the Animal Protection Unit, attended the DuPage Furever Friends Gala at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook. The gala was held in support of DuPage County Animal Services. Through financial support and advocacy, the organization ensures animals receive the care they need while working towards a future where every pet has a home.

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On Thursday, State's Attorney Berlin provided opening remarks to the attendees of the 18th Judicial Family Violence Coordinating Council’s (DuPage County) training seminar on addressing violence through exposure, risk, and prevention.

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On May 6, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin traveled to Springfield in his capacity as an Illinois Executive Committee member of Fight Crime: Invest In Kids to meet with members of the Illinois General Assembly to lobby for critical children’s programs that help stop crime before it happens. Berlin was joined by other members of Fight Crime: Invest In Kids including Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser, Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weiss, Lake Zurich Police Chief Steve Husak, Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins, and Urbana Police Chief Larry Boone. Berlin and others were specifically seeking funding for the Smart Start Early Childhood Workforce Grants and the Early Childhood Block Grant.

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Last Thursday, the 18th Judicial Family Violence Coordinating Council - DuPage County, IL's Paint the Town Purple event was held in Downers Grove. The event brought together volunteers to raise awareness and make resources visible across DuPage County using the DV Resource QR Code posters. A large contingent of Assistant State's Attorney's donated their personal time to help in the effort.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that the Court has denied the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for an Addison man accused of DUI with a twenty-two-month-old child in the back seat of his vehicle. Alexis Lara, 24 (d.o.b. 7/22/2001) of the 100 block of N. May Street, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with four counts of Aggravated DUI (Class 2 Felony) and multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including Endangering the Health or Life of a Child. As part of his conditions of pre-trial release, Lara shall be outfitted with a SCRAM device, shall not possess or consume alcohol or controlled substance other than as medically prescribed and is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Downers Grove man accused of hiding a loaded weapon under an occupied child car seat. Antoine Street, 40 (d.o.b. 7/19/1985) of the 5800 block of Lee Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Concealed in a Vehicle – No FOID or CCL (Class 4 Felony) and one count each of Misdemeanor charges including Resisting a Police Officer, Endangering the Health or Life of a Child and Unlawful Possession of Cannabis by a Passenger.

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Reclaim13 hosted its 3rd Annual Focus on Child Trafficking Luncheon & Awards on Wednesday at Christ Church. At the luncheon, the DuPage County Children’s Advocacy Center and Director Cathy Hundley received Reclaim 13’s 2026 Reclaiming Pathways Award for their work investigating cases of physical and sexual abuse, and coordinating services to survivors of human trafficking. The “Reclaiming Pathways Award” specifically recognizes organizations and individuals for “transforming the foundation of healing for Survivors of child trafficking through active partnership that strengthen pathways to community, healing, and hope.”

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Hanover Park Chief of Police Andrew Johnson announced that yesterday morning, Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Bloomingdale man accused of killing his son’s emotional support dog, Ace. Sandeep Dhillon, 47 (d.o.b. 10/22/1978) of the 300 block of Stratford Place, appeared in First Appearance Court yesterday morning charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class 4 Felony. Dhillon is currently on pre-trial release in DuPage County for domestic battery, aggravated battery to a peace officer, and assault. The State filed a motion to revoke Dhillon’s pre-trial release on that case. That motion will be heard tomorrow.

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2025 proved to be an extremely busy year for public safety in DuPage County. As is tradition, we sat down with DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin to talk about some of his and the office’s proudest accomplishments in the last year. Here’s what we came up with, with the accomplishments listed in no particular order:

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Earlier this afternoon, Marsy’s Law for Illinois presented DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin with the organization’s Champion of Victims’ Rights Award for his “long-standing commitment to empowering crime victims.”

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, Hinsdale Chief of Police Brian King, Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries and Darien Chief of Police Greg Thomas announced today that Judge Jeffrey MacKay has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Willowbrook man accused of attempting to sexually assault a woman in Hinsdale and grabbing women in Downers Grove and Darien. Kwame Koranteng, 31 (d.o.b. 9/24/1994) of the 400 block of Ridgemoor Drive, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Attempt Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 2 Felony), two counts of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony), two counts of Aggravated Battery – Person Over Sixty (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 4 Felony).

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On October 19, 2025, Reclaim13, a 501c3 organization who’s mission is to fight and end human trafficking, hosted its annual gala at the Westin in Lombard. DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin is a proud supporter of the organization, its goals, and the efforts it has undertaken to support the victims of human trafficking in DuPage County. State’s Attorney Berlin sends tremendous thanks and gratitude to the organization, and especially to its Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Cassandra Ma. Dr. Ma founded the organization in 2012 and it has helped countless victims of human trafficking since its inception.

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The Elmhurst Patch reported that a recent defendant arrested and charged with felony crimes including possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding an officer, and possession of burglary tools stated her preference for committing crimes in Chicago instead of DuPage County.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres and Warrenville Chief of Police Sam Bonilla announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain a Naperville man accused of Armed Carjacking/Aggravated Kidnapping and Attempt Armed Carjacking at gunpoint in two separate incidents this past week. Archie Banks, 63 (d.o.b. 8/26/1962) of the 1600 Block of Westminster Drive, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Armed Violence (Class X Felony), one count of Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class 1 Felony) and two counts of Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony) in the Naperville case and one count of Aggravated Kidnapping While Armed with a Firearm (Class X Felony) one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class X Felony) and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Restraint (Class 3 Felony) in the Warrenville case.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin was recently highlighted in Fight Crime: Invest In Kids Illinois’ Summer 2025 Newsletter for his efforts and advocacy at both federal and state levels to help guarantee funding for critical crime prevention childrens’ programs throughout Illinois. Research has demonstrated that after-school hours, from 2-6 p.m., are a high-risk period for juvenile crime, according to the Afterschool Alliance. Fight Crime: Invest In Kids is made up of thousands of police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, and violence survivors protecting public safety by promoting solutions that steer kids away from crime. Armed with research, the more than 5,000 members make the case for solutions that cut crime and put kids on the path to productive lives. Bob Berlin proudly serves on Fight Crime: Invest In Kids’ llinois Executive Committee.

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