The Chicago Tribube/Naperville Sun recently reported on DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s creation of a new Animal Protection Unit. The unit will be comprised of a dedicated team of specially trained assistant state’s attorneys focused on enhancing prosecutions of crimes committed against animals. Partnering with law enforcement agencies, DuPage County Animal Services and the community, the Unit will provide a comprehensive, focused approach to the successful prosecution of animal cruelty cases. Additionally, by recognizing the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, the Unit will also provide further legal protections for citizens who may be at risk of domestic violence.

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On Friday, June 6, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin was presented the DuPage County Bar Association’s 2025 Lawyer of the Year Award at the 2025 President’s Ball at the Morton Arboretum. Outgoing DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) President Karen Mills presented the award. The Lawyer of the Year is selected annually by the DCBA President in recognition of significant contributions to the health and well-being of the association and the practice of law. Outgoing President Mills specifically cited Berlin’s efforts and leadership in domestic violence and mental health cases when presenting the award.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries announced today that a Colorado juvenile has been accused of robbing a woman at gunpoint in downtown Downers Grove last month. The juvenile, a seventeen-year-old male Venezuelan migrant, with a last known address in Denver, Colorado, appeared at a detention hearing this morning where Judge Kishori Tank ordered that he be detained until at least his next court appearance. He is charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class X Felony).

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On May 15, 2025, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, Undersheriff Eddie Moore, and members of the Sheriff's Office Command Staff held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the DuPage County Police Officer Memorial. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard presented the colors, a wreath was placed at the memorial and a moment of silence was observed for all who gave their lives in the line of duty.

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Last week, Bob Berlin testified before the Illinois State Senate's Criminal Law Committee, via Zoom, in support of SB 267. If passed into law, the bill would require criminals convicted of forcing victims into commercial sex work to register as sex offenders.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that Judge Jeffrey MacKay has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase. Kevin Culps, 28 (d.o.b. 9/3/1996) of the 7800 block of Saginaw Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this weekend charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor and Petty traffic offenses including Driving While License Revoked and Obstructing Identification.    

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen Toyota 4Runner. Theon Mitchell, 26 (d.o.b. 4/28/1998) of the 6800 block of S. St. Lawrence Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 1 Felony), one count of Attempt Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle Valued at $25,000 or More (Class 2 Felony), two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Misdemeanor Reckless Driving.     

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Anthony Coco has granted the State’s motion to detain a Chicago man accused of attempting to grab a police officer’s gun after leading police on a high-speed chase. Devante Gunn, 32 (d.o.b. 10/23/1992) of the 100 block of S. Sacramento Boulevard, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count Attempt to Disarm a Peace Officer (Class 3 Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – No FOID (Class 4 Felony), one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Peace Officer (Class 4 Felony) and four counts of Misdemeanor Resisting a Police Officer.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a pair of Elgin men accused of leading police on a high-speed chase after shooting at another vehicle. Cristopher Martinez Mendoza, 19 (d.o.b. 4/14/2005) of the 400 block of S. Eddison Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm – Direction of an Occupied Vehicle (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – No FOID (Class 4 Felony). Martinez Mendoza’s co-defendant, Iban Pelayo, 19 (d.o.b. 4/5/2005) of the 400 block of Locust Street, also appeared at First Appearance Court this afternoon charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm – Direction of an Occupied Vehicle (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Deputy Chief of Police Robert Christopherson announced today that Judge Anthony Coco has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of attempting to rob a man whom he had arranged with to sell two pairs of shoes. Tajuan Brassel, 18 (d.o.b. 11/21/2006) of the 6300 block of S. Kildare, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged one count of Attempt Armed Robbery (Class 1 Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago convicted felon accused of possessing a fully loaded gun and leading police in a 103-mph high-speed chase. Christopher Ellis, 28 (d.o.b. 12/24/1996) of the 1650 block of N. Lotus Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Armed Violence (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon (Class 3 Felony), two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced that Judge Kentin Skarin granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Chicago woman accused of stealing merchandise from the Oak Brook Lululemon store and then leading police on a high-speed chase. Cartara Johnson, 21 (d.o.b. 12/11/2003) of the 10600 block of S. Artesian Avenue, appeared at First Appearance Court yesterday charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of possessing more than 100 grams of illegal narcotics and leading police on a high-speed chase. Kentrell Hayes, 25 (d.o.b. 9/16/1999) of the 2400 block of W. Grenshaw Street, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class Super X Felony), one count of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).

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On January 31, 2025, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin sat on an expert panel discussing a range of topics related to human trafficking prevention strategies and resources. January is nationally recognized as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Berlin was joined on the panel by former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti,  Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, and Naomi’s House Executive Director Blythe Struck.

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Last week, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced that a jury found Richard Goodwin, 59 (d.o.b. 10/27/1965) formerly of Glendale Heights, guilty of the 2021 murder of Hanover Park resident Marek Krywko. The jury returned their verdict after deliberating for approximately sixteen hours following a four-day-long trial. In all, the jury found Goodwin guilty of one count of First-Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Battery. On August 31, 2021, Goodwin appeared in Bond Court where his bond was set at $500,000 full cash, in accordance with a previously issued arrest warrant. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.

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On January 16, 2025, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin delivered opening remarks at DuPage County’s “School Safety Summit 2025” at the College of DuPage. Berlin summarized the importance of the event stating, “There is nothing more important than protecting our kids and teachers at school.”

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The year 2024 was an extremely busy one for public safety in DuPage County. We sat down with Bob 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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Bob Berlin and other DuPage County elected officials were sworn in for their new terms on Monday, December 2, 2024.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today Teodoro Garcia-Lopez, 32 (d.o.b. 4/12/1992), formerly of Addison, has been sentenced to eighty-three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for a 2022 home invasion and sexual assault of a ten-year-old girl. On August 30, 2024, a jury found Garcia-Lopez guilty of three counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault - Victim Under Thirteen (Class X Felony), two counts of Home Invasion (Class X Felony), two counts of Aggravated Battery (one Class 2 Felony and one Class 3 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony). On February 3, 2022, Garcia-Lopez appeared in Bond Court where Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $1 million with 10% to apply. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time. Judge Joseph Bugos presided over Garcia-Lopez’s trial and handed down today’s sentence.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert “Bob” Berlin and several Assistant State’s Attorneys joined the 18th Judicial Family Violence Coordinating Council in presenting various topics related to DuPage County’s Comprehensive approach to combating domestic violence.

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