3 charged with Streator murder

Three Chicago-area residents have been charged with murdering a Streator woman Tuesday night in connection with a possible robbery.

Hashim Waite, 24 and Ashanti D. Roberts, 21, both Chicago and Tamil D. Adams, 16, Dolton, were charged with the shooting death of 33-year-old Maria De la Torre at her home, 213 W. Ninth St., at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday.

La Salle County Assistant State's Attorney Greg Sticka said Roberts said she drove Waite and Adams in her car from Chicago to Streator Tuesday night, for drugs and to commit a robbery. They drove to the 200 block of West Ninth Street where they encountered De la Torre's juvenile son.

A vehicle with De la Torre then arrived, driven by a man who was dropping her off at home. Shots were fired at her son, who ran into nearby woods, and De la Torre. The woman was hit twice in her chest and died.

Defendants sped away in their car, but witnesses gave descriptions to police. A Livingston County deputy sheriff spotted the car on Route 17, which runs south of Streator and leads east to Dwight, with a chase ensuing. Defendants' car went into a ditch along Route 17 on Dwight's western edge. Waite was quickly arrested; Roberts and Adams were caught several hours later in Dwight.

State's Attorney Karen Donnelly declined to say whether guns have been found or how many shots were fired. She also would not say whether the victim and her son had a prior link with defendants.

Defendants had court hearings Thursday before Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. Their next hearings are Friday, June 8. Each needs $200,000 cash to be released on bond. Adams, who is a juvenile, is being prosecuted as an adult.

Waite and Roberts are represented by the public defender. Adams said he wants to hire a private attorney.

Waite has a record in Chicago that includes charges of armed violence, possessing a gun as a felon, possessing a stolen gun, cocaine dealing, possessing a controlled substance and failing to register as a gun offender. Waite has been in prison.

Roberts was arrested April 12 in Chicago on a warrant for violating bond conditions. She bonded out the same day.