Father-to-Be Killed in Crash Linked to Louis Vuitton Theft Hours Before Baby's Birth, DA Reveals

A Tragic Collision: A Father-to-Be Killed in a Crash Linked to a Louis Vuitton Robbery

A father-to-be in Chicago was tragically killed in a car crash caused by suspects fleeing the scene of a Louis Vuitton "smash and grab" robbery. The incident occurred just one day before he was scheduled to begin his paternity leave, marking a devastating loss for his family and community.

Mark Arceta, a 40-year-old man from Skokie, was on his way to work at a local hospital when he was struck by a vehicle driven by individuals involved in the theft. According to officials, the suspects were part of a group that had robbed a Louis Vuitton store on Michigan Avenue. They were reportedly traveling at nearly 80 mph when they crashed into Arceta’s Honda CRV.

Arceta's girlfriend, Roanne Masangkay, shared her heartbreak after learning of the accident. “They did not want to tell me because I'm pregnant,” she said. “They did not want me to worry. So, I just grabbed the phone, and then I couldn't believe it.”

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office identified the suspects involved in the crash as Darius Bowdry, 30; Harvey Fisher, 26; Alton Jackson, 37; Kellen McMiller, 35; Dejuan Wingard, 30; Anthony Hemphill, 22; and Keith Perkins, 19. Four of the seven alleged robbers appeared in court last week, while the other three remained hospitalized with injuries. The four who appeared in court—Fisher, Jackson, Hemphill, and Perkins—were ordered to remain detained.

State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke expressed deep concern over the incident, calling it a “heartbreaking example of the threat that these organized retail theft operations pose to the entire community.” She emphasized the physical danger these crimes pose to residents and vowed to take strong action against those responsible.

Arceta’s death occurred around 4:50 a.m. on Thursday. Security footage showed at least a dozen members of the theft crew arriving at the Louis Vuitton store in six stolen vehicles. The suspects used a pickup truck to ram the store’s windows and entered the premises. They loaded nearly $700,000 worth of merchandise into the stolen cars and fled the scene.

One of the fleeing vehicles, a black Kia allegedly driven by Dejuan Wingard, was captured on camera speeding through multiple red lights before crashing into Arceta’s CRV. Wingard was later caught on camera, and the vehicle he was driving collided with Arceta as he was traveling through an intersection on a green light.

Another vehicle, an Infiniti, was seen fleeing from police down DuSable Lake Shore Drive before jumping over a concrete barrier and blowing out its tires near Millennium Park. Suspects Hemphill and Perkins attempted to escape but were eventually apprehended by police. Two others managed to evade capture.

A GoFundMe page set up for Arceta’s family describes him as a “Filipino/American Citizen” who was “just a day away from becoming a dad for the second time.” Masangkay shared her grief and admiration for Arceta, saying, “I want my son to know his dad was so loved. He gave me everything I wanted. He was selfless, generous, and never turned his back on people who needed help.”

All the suspects have been charged with first-degree murder, burglary, and retail theft. The hospitalized defendants will appear in court once they are discharged.

This tragic event highlights the dangers associated with organized retail theft and the impact such crimes can have on innocent lives. As the legal process unfolds, the community continues to mourn the loss of a devoted father-to-be and a dedicated healthcare worker.