Citizens for Bob Berlin, Wheaton, IL (2026)

09/18/2026

On Wednesday, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert "Bob" Berlin announced that three juveniles, a fourteen-year-old female from Lombard and two twelve-year-old females from Addison, have been charged with threatening an Addison Junior High School. The juveniles all appeared in front of Judge Chantelle Porter during their respective court appearances and each was ordered to be placed on home detention with electronic monitoring. The Lombard juvenile is charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct - Transmit Threat to School Building, a Class 4 Felony. The two Addison juveniles have each been charged with two counts of Disorderly Conduct - Transmit Threat to School Building.

According to the State's Petitions filed in Juvenile Court against the Addison juveniles, on August 11, 2026, the two Addison juveniles created and shared with each other a video depicting themselves as cartoon figures "walking around a school, taking out ri**es, shooting students and then killing themselves." Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the video contained a hand-written map showing the interior layout of Indian Trail Junior High School with the lunchroom, office, nurse and bathroom labeled and depicted the juveniles shooting in the hallway at drawn figures with the sounds of gunshots and screams. According to the Petition filed against the Lombard juvenile, approximately two weeks later, on August 29, the Lombard juvenile allegedly "transmitted a threat of violence, death or bodily harm directed at persons at Indian Trail Junior High School" via Snapchat and WhatsApp to one of the Addison juveniles "asking her about security measures at Indian Trail Junior High School" stating that "she was going to buy a gun when she was fifteen, that she would do a school shooting in 2030, and that when she turned 15 she would come to Indian Trail Junior High School and conduct a school shooting." The matter came to the attention of authorities after two students at one of the Addison juvenile’s school allegedly overheard the juvenile talking on the phone about the plot with the Lombard juvenile. The students courageously and immediately contacted the School Resource Officer. An investigation into the matter conducted by the Addison Police Department led to the three juveniles as the people allegedly involved in the threatening correspondence.

"With the school year just beginning, I want to remind everyone that school safety remains a top priority of my office," Bob Berlin stated. "My office takes any sign of potential violence, real or perceived, involving a school very seriously and anyone suspected of any such behavior will be investigated and charged accordingly. Today's charges will not only hold these juveniles accountable for their alleged actions but will also give our juvenile justice system the opportunity to get them the help they need to get on the right track."

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/three-juveniles-charged-with-threatening-addison-junior-high-school

08/27/2026

On Wednesday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert "Bob" Berlin announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Villa Park man charged with sexually abusing a woman on the Illinois Prairie Path last week. The defendant appeared in First Appearance Court on Wednesday charged with one count of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 4 Felony).

On August 20, 2026, at approximately 9:02 p.m., Elmhurst police officers responded to a 911 call from a woman who reported that she had been groped by a man on an electric scooter while she was on the Illinois Prairie Path near South York Street. Upon their arrival, officers made contact with the victim. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the victim was out for a run on the Prairie Path and at some point had lost her keys. It is alleged that when the woman was looking for her keys using the flashlight on her phone, a man, later identified as the defendant, drove an electric scooter toward her. It is alleged that the defendant then collided with the woman at which time he touched her ge****ls, tried to hug her and then fled westbound on the Prairie Path. Approximately ten minutes later, it is alleged that while still on his scooter, the defendant approached the woman from behind, grabbed her buttocks and then fled. Through the course of their investigation, authorities identified the defendant as a suspect in the matter. On August 25, 2026, at approximately 1:09 p.m., authorities located defendant in Melrose Park where he was taken into custody without incident.

“Law enforcement in DuPage County is 100% committed to the safety of our communities,” Berlin said. “The allegation that Mr. Ronces Ocampo approached an innocent woman who was alone on the Prairie Path, ran into her with his electric scooter and sexually abused her is very disturbing and will not be tolerated in DuPage County."

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/court-grants-states-motion-to-detain-villa-park-man-accused-of-groping-woman-on-the-illinois-prairie-path

08/19/2026

On Monday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert "Bob" Berlin and Representative Marti Deuter announced that two initiatives proposed in Berlin’s office’s 2026 legislative package have been signed into law. One of the new laws strengthens law enforcement’s ability to prosecute those charged with animal cruelty while the other enhances protections for the elderly or persons with a disability and changes the definition of “caregiver”. The initiatives, now known as Public Act 104-0644 (amended the Humane Care for Animals Act) and Public Act 104-0671 (amended part of the Criminal Code of 2012) both passed the General Assembly in May 2026 and were signed into law by Governor Pritzker. Both laws go into effect on January 1, 2027.

Both bills passed overwhelmingly with wide bipartisan support. Specifically, Public Act 104-0644 (amended the Humane Care for Animals Act), cleared the Illinois House by a 112-0 vote on May 21, 2026 and Public Act 104-0671 (amended part of the Criminal Code of 2012) cleared the Illinois House by a 98-1 vote on April 9, 2026.

“These new laws send a crystal-clear message that protecting our most vulnerable is the responsibility of each and every one of us,” Berlin said. “Our seniors and persons with a disability have the right to live a dignified, secure life, free from the worry of abuse or exploitation just as our companion animals deserve protection from those who would do them harm. I am very pleased that with support from the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker’s signature, we are now able to provide more support and protection to society’s most vulnerable.”

Full story: https://www.bobberlin.com/news/states-attorney-berlin-initiatives-protecting-seniors-and-animals-signed-into-law-by-governor

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 Fi***rm (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 fi***rm.

“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 Fi***rm (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 Fi***rm, 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

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