Man charged in Lincoln Park beating death, robbery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man has been charged with fatally beating a man during an April robbery in the North Side Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Marco Alvarado, 21, is charged two counts of murder and one count of robbery in connection with the April 28, 2014 beating death of Jacob Klepacz, authorities said.

It is the answer they hoped for, but it provides little comfort right now to family and friends of Jacob Klepacz. The 33-year-old man was beaten and robbed near Fullerton and Ashland in Lincoln Park at 4 a.m. on April 28.

Sources told Eyewitness News that Area North police detectives focused on the suspect Alvarado early in the investigation, but waited on autopsy results to charge him with murder.

In the days following, some of those who know him handed out flyers in the neighborhood, hoping to find witnesses who could lead them to the killer.

"It makes me angry. I'm glad that he's off the street. Because he had 12 weeks of freedom, and my son is dead," said Chester Klepacz, father.

Police sources say Marco Alvarado was with another suspect, who has not been charged, on the night of the murder. They say the suspects stole a phone and wallet from Klepacz before beating him.

Coincidently, Chester Klepacz says he lost his father, Roman, on the same date 43 years ago. He was also beaten to death, in the same neighborhood. He says the pain of his father's death still feels fresh, but his son's death is worse.

"We won't be happy until he gets the maximum. He's got to spend the rest of his life in jail, I think that would come close to us feeling good," said Chester Klepacz.

Police sources say they have video from a bar earlier in the evening, before Klepacz's murder.

Alvarado is due in court Saturday.