THREE MEN CHARGED IN MURDER OF DOLLAR STORE EMPLOYEE

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Hanover Park Police Chief Ronald Moser announced today that First Degree Murder charges have been filed against three men in connection with the murder of Dollar + Store employee 56 year-old Vatsala Thakkar of Hanover Park.  Seneca Berry, 15 (d.o.b. 4/27/1993), Dewaun Tate, 17 (d.o.b. 4/23/1991) and Jerry Lockheart, 39 (d.o.b. 12/29/1968) have each been charged with one count of First Degree Murder and one count of Armed Robbery.  In addition, Lockheart also faces two counts of Obstruction of Justice.  All three men are from Hanover Park.

            At approximately 1:45 p.m. on November 20, 2008, Hanover Park police responded to a 911 call regarding a bleeding woman in a strip mall located in Hanover Park.  The victim, Vatsala Thakkar, was transported from the crime scene to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.  Thakkar had been stabbed in the back multiple times.  It is alleged that all three men took part in an attempted robbery of the Dollar + Store and during the course of the robbery, murdered Thakkar.

“It is alleged that these three men took the life of Vatsala Thakkar while she was at work, making an honest living,” commented Birkett.  “Senseless violence will not be tolerated and will be vigorously prosecuted.  I would like to thank the Hanover Park Police Department for their quick and thorough investigation into this terrible crime.   I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Mary K. Cronin for her work as well.”

             First Degree Murder carries a minimum sentence of 20-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).  Armed Robbery is a class X felony punishable by 6-30 years in IDOC.

            “On behalf of the Hanover Park Police Department, I wish to thank the outstanding work done by the personnel from the Hanover Park Police Department, the DuPage County Major Crimes Task Force, and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office,” remarked Chief Moser.  “This horrible crime was resolved quickly due to the efforts of those agencies involved and civilian witnesses who provided crucial information.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased, Vatsala V. Thakkar who is survived by her husband, two children and a grandchild.  We hope in some way that bringing these offenders to justice will aid the family in their recovery.”

            Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

###