Citizens for Bob Berlin

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Citizens for Bob Berlin

Bob Berlin is the DuPage County State's Attorney. A career prosecutor, Bob Berlin was sworn in as DuPage County State’s Attorney in December 2010.

He serves as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the 2nd largest county in Illinois, and leads an office of 84 Assistant State’s Attorneys and 100 support staff. Click here to read Bob's full bio: http://bobberlin.iwswebsites.com/about-bob/

08/13/2026

On Wednesday, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert "Bob" Berlin announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Hanover Park man accused of attempting to rob an Uber driver at gunpoint. The defendant appeared in First Appearance Court on Tuesday afternoon charged with multiple single felony counts including: Attempt Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class 1), Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 2), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3) and Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3).

During the evening of August 9, the defendant allegedly requested a ride via Uber. After getting into the victim's vehicle, the defendant allegedly began to argue with the victim. The argument escalated and the defendant allegedly pulled a handgun out and demanded the victim turn back, before demanding money from the victim. When the victim told the defendant he did not have any money, the defendant allegedly struck the victim in the head with the handgun. The victim pulled into a gas station and attempted to escape the defendant. The defendant allegedly threatened to shoot the victim before grabbing the victim's hand and causing the vehicle to strike another vehicle, a Nissan, in the gas station lot. After crashing the vehicle, it is alleged that the victim exited the car and the defendant chased the victim around the car two times before the victim was able to flee. It is further alleged that the defendant then approached the driver of the Nissan, reached for his waistband and said, “I got a gun.” It is alleged that the defendant and the driver of the Nissan got into a brief physical altercation during which the driver of the Nissan was able to disarm the defendant and toss the gun. It is further alleged that the defendant then fled the scene. Officers with the Hanover Park Police Department took the defendant into custody from his home a short time later. When canvassing the scene, the driver of the Nissan led officers to a location on Sunrise Lane where they recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm firearm.

“It is alleged that Mr. Phillips attempted to rob an innocent man at gunpoint who was just trying to earn an honest living,” Berlin said. “Ride-share drivers provide an invaluable service to thousands of people every day and it is our responsibility to ensure that they can safely do their job without worrying about their personal safety."

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/hanover-park-man-charged-with-attempting-to-rob-uber-driver-at-gunpoint

07/30/2026

On Wednesday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced that a man and woman were charged with multiple felonies including: Home Invasion – Causing Injury (Class X), Home Invasion While Armed with a Firearm (Class X), Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class 4), Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – No FOID Card (Class 4). Each appeared in First Appearance Court this morning where Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for both defendants.

The alleged home invasion occurred on Monday, July 27, 2026, in unincorporated Naperville. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the resident had allegedly been pepper sprayed inside his apartment and that his three-year-old dog had been fatally shot during the incident. Patrol personnel immediately secured the scene, rendered aid, conducted an extensive neighborhood canvass, and began gathering evidence and witness information. Members of the Sheriff's Office Forensic Identification Unit and Animal Control also responded to assist with the investigation.

“The level of cruelty alleged in this case is heartbreaking and extremely disturbing,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “The unprovoked attack on the victim and subsequent shooting of his defenseless companion, as alleged against the defendants, shows a disturbing level of cruelty and disregard for both human and animal life and a shocking willingness to cause physical and emotional pain to others. In DuPage County we have zero tolerance for the type of behavior alleged in this case and we will prosecute the defendants to the fullest extent of the law."

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/court-grants-states-motion-to-detain-couple-accused-of-home-invasion-and-animal-cruelty

07/13/2026

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.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the DuPage County Board unanimously voiced bipartisan support for the proposal.

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/dupage-county-board-unanimously-votes-to-allocate-funds-to-states-attorneys-digital-forensics-unit

07/10/2026

On Wednesday, Bob Berlin announced 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 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.

The defendant, wearing a mask and gloves, and 2 co-offenders, while armed with a gun, entered the business and led employees to the back of the store. Once at the back of the store, one of the offenders pointed a handgun at the employees, took one of the employee’s key rings and opened the stock room that contained approximately twenty cell phones and one tablet. Additionally, the employees were ordered at gunpoint to open two safes containing merchandise and cash. While zip-tying the employees, the defendants threatened to kill them.

Previously 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.

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/second-of-four-men-charged-with-robbing-wheaton-t-mobile-store-sentenced-to-28-years-in-the-illinois-department-of-corrections

06/29/2026

On Saturday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced 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 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).

It is alleged that for over one month, Rojas-Alcocer kept his girlfriend confined to their bedroom, systematically sexually assaulted her, cut her and beat her because he believed she was seeing other men. Rojas-Alcocer even forced the victim to drown a cat in their apartment unit in exchange for not killing her.

The investigation ultimately led authorities to a Motel 6 in east Syracuse, New York, where, on June 17, 2026, United States Marshals, working in conjunction with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and Hanover Park Police Department, took Rojas-Alcocer into custody.

“The psychological, emotional and physical pain Jose Rojas-Alcocer allegedly inflicted upon his girlfriend is inconceivable,” Berlin said. “It is alleged that for more than a month, Rojas-Alcocer systematically and repeatedly sexually assaulted the survivor in this case and held her captive in a bedroom, which he had under twenty-four-hour surveillance. This psychological abuse, coupled with the torturous, repeated physical assaults allegedly administered by the defendant are among the worst I’ve seen in my thirty-eight years as a prosecutor."

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/extradition-pre-trial-release-denied-sexual-assault

05/25/2026

The true meaning of Memorial Day is written in sacrifice.

05/20/2026

On May 15, 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 Animal Friends 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. Both the Animal Protection Unit, the first of its kind in the state - created by Berlin in 2025 - and Crew, who joined the office in September 2024, were highlighted during the gala.

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/bob-berlin-duo-dog-crew-and-assistant-states-attorneys-attend-furever-friends-gala

05/18/2026

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

The seminar explored the overlap between domestic and community violence, reducing the risk, and strengthening prevention across systems. The training included presentations by the Center for Advancing Domestic Peace, a multidisciplinary panel discussion, and Q&A with panelists. Attendees included law enforcement, court personnel, social service providers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community organizations.

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/bob-berlin-provides-opening-remarks-at-domestic-violence-training-seminar

05/11/2026

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 and others were specifically seeking funding for the Smart Start Early Childhood Workforce Grants and the Early Childhood Block Grant.

Meetings with legislators included: Senate Minority Leader John Curran, Senator Seth Lewis, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, Representative Patrick Windhorst, Senator Michael Halpin, House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, and House Assistant Majority Leader Eva-Dina Delgado.

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.

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/fight-crime-invest-in-kids-springfield-lobbying-day-2026

04/20/2026

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 using the DV Resource QR Code posters. State’s Attorney Bob Berlin was joined by a large contingent of Assistant State’s Attorneys who donated their personal time to help in the effort. State’s Attorney Berlin is also a member of the FVCC.

Thank you to DuPage County Circuit Court Judge Ann Celine Walsh, who serves as Chair of the FVCC and helped to spearhead this event. Also, thank you to Cadence Kitchen & Co. and Chef Todd Davies, who participated in the event.

Learn more about FVCC and Paint The Town Purple here: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/states-attorneys-join-dupages-family-violence-coordinating-council-to-paint-the-town-purple

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