A Chicago father was killed when his car was struck by a suspect fleeing a smash-and-grab robbery on the city’s Magnificent Mile, police said, as reported by Fox News.
Authorities identified the victim as 40-year-old Mark Arceta, who was on his way to his final work shift at a local hospital before starting paternity leave.
Arceta’s partner, Roanne Masangkay, told Fox News that she received the devastating news while pregnant with their son. The baby boy was born just one day after Arceta’s death.
Chicago father dies in crash after smash-and-grab suspect flees with $700K of Louis Vuitton goods
An innocent dad was hit and killed by a suspect who police say was fleeing a smash-and-grab robbery on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.
Mark Arceta was driving his normal route to work… pic.twitter.com/WSXhmnTPtC
— Suhr Majesty™ (@ULTRA_MAJESTY) September 17, 2025
“They did not want to tell me because I’m pregnant. They did not want me to worry. So, I just grabbed the phone, and then I couldn’t believe it,” Masangkay said.
This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year
The crash occurred as police pursued a crew of suspects accused of stealing nearly $700,000 worth of merchandise from a Louis Vuitton store on Michigan Avenue.
According to investigators, the robbery was carried out by ramming a truck through the store’s windows before the suspects entered and grabbed the luxury goods.
Police said the driver who hit Arceta, 30-year-old Dejuan Wingard, was traveling close to 100 miles per hour at the time of the collision. Wingard and six others have since been charged in connection with the robbery and fatal crash.
UPDATE: Seven men, including a “peacekeeper,” charged with m*rder after getaway crash k*lled expectant father in Louis Vuitton smash-and-grab in Chicago
40-year-old Mark Carlo Arceta was k*lled when his SUV was struck by the suspects fleeing the scene
Arceta was heading to work… pic.twitter.com/7K7hZyJ2Cx
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) September 13, 2025
The group of suspects includes Wingard, Keith Perkins, Anthony Hemphill, Harvey Fisher, Alton Jackson, Darius Bowdry, and Kellen McMiller. Charges filed against them include murder, burglary, and felony theft.
Court records show many of the men have lengthy criminal histories. Bowdry, 30, has been arrested 12 times as an adult. McMiller, 35, reportedly known as an anti-violence “peacekeeper,” had at least four fugitive warrants outstanding at the time of his arrest.
Jackson, 37, was out on parole after serving a two-year sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm and had been arrested five times since turning 18. Fisher, 26, has been arrested six times, police records show.
Arceta’s family said he was eager to begin paternity leave to spend time with his newborn son and older child. Masangkay expressed grief and frustration, saying she fears the suspects could be released despite their extensive criminal backgrounds.
The murder of Mark Carlo Arceta has left a family without a father, yet there is silence. Elected officials cannot escape accountability for policies that release criminals back onto our streets, endangering every community. https://t.co/A06FeAP7gH
— Sam Sanchez (@samsamco) September 13, 2025
“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,” she said.
A GoFundMe page titled “Please help the family of Mark Carlo Arceta” has been created to assist his relatives as they cope with the loss.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
Read the full article here