David Sidener of Indiana has been charged with first degree murder in the October 15killing of Randall Hilderbrand, the manager of Lucca's Restaurant on Southport. The killing shocked the West Lakeview community where it happened. Hilderbrand's body was discovered by an exterminator. While police haven't released more details, they have said that Sidener was a "known acquaintance" of Hilderbrand's and that money was taken from the restaurant after the murder. Sidener will appear in Violence Court later today. more ›

Lucca's on Southport just north of Diversey is one of those quiet, charming, neighborhood restaurants that manages to keep on chugging away year after year without much fanfare. We pass it regularly and think, "We should go back there some time," but never do. So it was a bit startling when we read that an exterminator and maintenance man discovered a body in the restaurant's basement, bound and having suffered from either gunshot or stab wounds. The man was identified as the restaurant's manager, Randall Hilderbrand. Police say there was no apparent evidence of a robbery, and are investigating motive and suspects. [S-T, MyFox, Trib] more ›