On Thursday, Sept. 23, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael Ruth announced that three Hazel Crest juveniles, aged 13, 15 and 17, appeared at a detention hearing charged with breaking into several cars in Elmhurst the previous night. Each of the juveniles was charged with one count of Burglary to a Motor Vehicle (Class 3 Felony) and two counts of Criminal Trespass to a Motor Vehicle (Class A Misdemeanor). In addition, the 13-year-old has been charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class 4 Felony. Following the hearing, the judge ordered that the juveniles be placed on electronic monitoring and returned home.
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, at approximately 10:27 p.m., Elmhurst police officers responded to a call of several individuals pulling on car doors allegedly attempting to gain entry into the vehicles. Upon their arrival, officers located the juveniles who were taken into custody at that time. It is alleged that the juveniles gained entry to three vehicles and burglarized one vehicle. It is further alleged that at the time of his arrest, the 13-year-old juvenile had in his possession a loaded 9 mm pistol with one bullet in the chamber.
“The allegations against these three juveniles are outrageous,” Berlin said. “Violent crime has no place in a civilized society and, in DuPage County, it will be met with the full force of the law, regardless of the defendant’s age. I commend those residents who alerted authorities when they suspected foul play. I thank the Elmhurst Police Department for the quick apprehension of the defendants in this case.”
“The arrest of the suspects in this case is the direct result of concerned citizens reporting suspicious activity,” Ruth said. “I applaud their vigilance and encourage everyone to immediately report any suspicious activity they may observe.”
The 13-year-old juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21. The 15-year-old juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 20. The 17-year-old juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 22.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt.
