On Monday, Jan. 25, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Addison Director of Police Bill Hayden announced that Judge Brian Jacobs had ordered that a Chicago teen charged with hijacking a woman’s car at gunpoint from a Popeye’s restaurant parking lot will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance. The State also notified the Court that it intends to file a motion to have the juvenile’s case transferred to Adult Court. The teen is charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class X Felony) and one count of Armed Robbery (Class X Felony).
On Saturday, Jan. 23 at approximately 10:46 p.m., Addison police officers responded to a report of a vehicular hijacking near the Popeye’s restaurant in Addison. Upon their arrival, officers learned that the victim, a 20-year-old female, exited her vehicle and began walking in the restaurant’s parking lot. It is alleged that when the victim was approximately 15 feet away from her car, she was approached by three men, two of whom were armed. It is alleged that the men, one of whom was later identified as the juvenile, threatened her to give up her belongings to them, such as cash, cellular telephone and her car keys, or they would kill her. It is further alleged that after the victim turned over her belongings to the defendants, all three men got into her car and fled at a high rate of speed.
As the defendants allegedly fled, a nearby patrol officer began pursuit and, with assistance from an Illinois State Police helicopter, was able to track the vehicle to the south side of Chicago. It is further alleged that when officers approached the vehicle, the men fled the scene on foot. The juvenile was apprehended at this time by Chicago Police officers and was returned to DuPage County custody. It is alleged that while being transported, the juvenile told transporting officers that he “would be out of custody in a day and come find the officers and shoot them.”
“To say that there has been an alarming increase in car-jackings throughout the entire Chicago metropolitan area would be a gross understatement,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly troubling in this case is the allegation that the defendant stated that he believes he will not be held in custody pending his trial and that he threatened to kill police officers during this time. “While some criminal justice reforms are necessary, they must not come at the expense of public safety or the safety of our law enforcement. I commend the efforts of the Addison Police Department.”
“This is a prime example of why violent criminals who commit heinous crimes, as alleged in this case, should be held in jail so they cannot continue to victimize law-abiding citizens,” Hayden said. “I would like to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and those brave police officers for apprehending this suspect and doing what it takes to protect the citizens of this state.”
The Juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8, for status for in front of Judge Jacobs. An investigation into this matter continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Addison Police Department at (630) 693-7941.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.
