Pritzker responds to report about photo he took with 'peacekeeper' accused in deadly Chicago burglary, crash

Pritzker responds to report about photo he took with 'peacekeeper' accused in deadly Chicago burglary, crash

After a report that Governor Pritzker's administration scrubbed a photo from a state website.

CHICAGO - Controversy is brewing following a report that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's administration scrubbed from a state website a photo of the governor and a man now charged in connection with a deadly Chicago crash stemming from a smash-and-grab burglary on the Magnificent Mile last week.

What we know:

CWB Chicago first reported that 35-year-old Kellen McMiller, now accused of murder in the Sept. 11 burglary and deadly crash, posed for a one-on-one photo with Pritzker at a South Side event on Sept. 5 highlighting "peacekeepers" who work in community violence prevention. McMiller wore the group’s uniform as he stood next to the governor.

Days later, prosecutors say McMiller was among a group that rammed a pickup truck into a Louis Vuitton store on Michigan Avenue, stealing nearly $700,000 in merchandise. As police arrived, one of the crew’s getaway cars, a black Kia, sped away before slamming into a Honda CR-V at Ohio Street.

The driver of the Honda, 40-year-old Mark Arceta of Skokie, was killed on his way to work. His girlfriend gave birth to their son the following day.

What we don't know:

It’s not clear how McMiller, who reportedly had four outstanding warrants from multiple states, was able to participate in the event and pose with the governor.

Court records show his warrants came from Florida, Indiana, and Wisconsin, but details of those cases remain unclear.

What they're saying:

Following the report, a spokesperson for Pritzker said they were "troubled" to learn of the allegations against McMiller.

"The Governor meets hundreds of people in communities every week and is often asked to take photos. We were extremely troubled to learn that this individual was arrested for his alleged involvement in this serious crime, and we expect them to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The Governor will keep doing everything in his power to fight crime, keep our neighborhoods safe, and support community violence intervention, which have been proven to work," the statement read in part.

The spokesperson added that Pritzker did not know McMiller personally and that they removed the photo of the two from the state website after being notified he was arrested.

Chicago CRED, which runs the Peacekeepers program, also released a statement.

"Under the program, we intentionally recruit individuals who are closely connected to people at very high risk of shooting or being shot to help prevent shootings at many of the most violent locations in the city and suburbs. While they are not technically [Community Violence Intervention] staff, we train and manage them and provide them with a modest stipend," the statement read in part. "Today, over 1300 men and women work in the Peacekeepers program, serving 31 Chicago neighborhoods and nine Cook County suburbs. Because many of them are justice-involved individuals who have experienced severe violence-related trauma, they sometimes make poor choices that can lead to tragic consequences. With that in mind, we are constantly enhancing our screening practices and additional supports."

The backstory:

Pritzker’s Sept. 5 Englewood event spotlighted "peacekeepers" as "trusted messengers" who mediate conflicts in high-risk communities. The governor praised them as part of Chicago’s violence prevention strategy, countering President Donald Trump’s calls to send National Guard troops into the city.

"It's folks like these that we need more of doing the hard work of community violence prevention, not troops on the ground to undermine efforts fighting crime," Pritzker said in a post on Facebook.

But critics questioned the vetting process. Former Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel told CWB Chicago the governor’s advance team was "incompetent" for allowing Pritzker to pose with McMiller, calling the peacekeeper effort "a feel-good program" with limited measurable results.

What's next:

McMiller is among seven men now facing felony charges, including murder, burglary, and theft. He was hospitalized following the crash.

Meanwhile, Arceta’s family is mourning his loss while raising funds through a GoFundMe page. His girlfriend said she wants accountability, praying the suspects are not released.

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Chicago father dies in crash after smash-and-grab suspect flees with $700K of Louis Vuitton goods

A Chicago father was heading to his last work shift before paternity leave when he was hit and killed by a suspect fleeing a smash-and-grab robbery on the Magnificent Mile.

"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," said Roanne Masangkay.