RED BULL HIJACKER SENTENCED TO 24 YEARS

Accomplice to be sentenced on February 11

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Samer Bader, 31 (d.o.b. 10/17/1976), of 402 Turner, Glen Ellyn, was sentenced to 24 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in connection with two separate incidents involving the armed robbery and hijacking of a beverage distribution truck in Elmhurst.  Bader entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated Kidnapping with a Firearm, a Class X Felony on September 14, 2007 in front of Judge Robert Anderson.  Anderson handed down his sentence late yesterday afternoon.

  On March 6, 2006, while unloading a shipment of Red Bull Energy Drink at a Woodridge Sam’s Club, an employee of Power Distributing LLC was approached by Bader who displayed a gun.  Bader ordered the employee into another vehicle driven by an accomplice and hijacked the victim’s delivery truck.  A short time later the victim was released.   Using a cell phone, the victim then called police to report the incident. 

Nearly three weeks later, on March 24, the same victim, along with three co-workers, were working at the Power Distributing LLC warehouse in Elmhurst when the men were confronted at gunpoint by Bader and William Moctezuma, 27 (d.o.b. 9/05/1980) of Chicago.  In this incident, Bader and Moctezuma stole more than 800 cases of Red Bull Energy Drink along with a company truck.

“I am very happy with the sentence handed down by Judge Anderson,” commented Birkett.   “This armed attack on the cartage industry will not be tolerated.  These hard-working individuals are responsible for keeping our stores stocked and it is very important that they are able to perform their jobs without fear for their personal safety.”  Birkett went on to thank all the parties involved in solving this case, “I would like to thank the Elmhurst Police Department, particularly Detective John Tarpey, for their extended efforts in this case.  I would also like to thank the New York Police Department and personnel at Power Distributing for their assistance.”

On December 12, 2007, Moctezuma entered a blind plea of guilty to Armed Robbery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony.  His sentencing is scheduled for February 11 in front of Judge Anderson at which time he will face up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

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