Prosecutors: Anthony Tucker fatally shot Downers Grove man during robbery

Will Hager — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 15:20:41 -0600

Anthony Tucker / Photo from Chicago Police

BY WILL HAGER
Homicide Watch Chicago

Anthony Tucker was ordered held without bond for allegedly fatally shooting a 44-year-old Downers Grove man and robbing two women at gunpoint this month in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.

The crime spree began when Tucker robbed a 25-year-old woman at gunpoint near Kenton Avenue and Monroe Street about 5 a.m. Feb. 9, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

Tucker, 41, then told the woman she was going to help him rob drug dealers selling on the street and threatened to kill her if she didn’t cooperate, Santini said.

The pair walked to a car in the 4500 block of West Monroe Street and Tucker tapped the driver’s side window with his gun and pointed it at the driver, John Serpe, Santini said.

Serpe attempted to drive away, but Tucker shot him through the window, Santini said.

Serpe, of the 2900 block of Maple Avenue in Downers Grove, suffered a single gunshot wound to the left side of his chest and died at the scene, authorities said.

After the shooting, Tucker unlocked the door and “went into the mortally wounded victim’s pockets,” Santini said. He then turned to a 20-year-old woman in the passenger seat and took her cellphone and money at gunpoint.

Both women fled, and the 20-year-old called police, Santini said. Tucker was arrested Feb. 16 and positively identified in a physical lineup.

Tucker, of the 1400 block of South Canal Street, was charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of felony robbery involving the discharge of a firearm and two counts of felony armed robbery, police said.

On Tuesday, Judge Laura Sullivan ordered Tucker held without bond.

In 1991, Tucker was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for aggravated battery with a firearm. He also has been sentenced for possession of a controlled substance six times since 1996, Santini said.

Anthony Tucker | Homicide Watch Chicago

Prosecutors: Anthony Tucker fatally shot Downers Grove man during robbery