Court Grants State's Motions to Detain Two Individuals Charged Over Holiday Weekend with Leading Police on a High-Speed Chase

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, Lombard Chief of Police Tom Wirsing and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced on Feb. 19, 2024 that law enforcement in DuPage County continues their efforts to arrest and charge anyone accused of attempting to flee from the police. During the Presidents’ Day weekend, two defendants, one adult and one juvenile, appeared in court yesterday where Judge James McCluskey granted the State’s motion to detain the adult pre-trial and detain the juvenile until at least his next court appearance.

The most recent arrests include:

• A seventeen-year-old male juvenile from Gilberts is accused of leading Naperville police on a high-speed chase on Feb. 17, 2024, at approximately 1:11 a.m. It is alleged that after officers had boxed-in the juvenile’s vehicle, he repeatedly crashed his car into the officer’s squad cars parked in front of him and behind him until one of the squad cars was pushed out of the way and he was able to flee. It is alleged that as the juvenile fled the scene, he crashed into a Naperville City Electric box. It is further alleged that the juvenile led police on a 115 mph-chase which ended in Dekalb County. The juvenile is charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony) and two counts of Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property (Class 4 Felony). The juvenile’s next court date is scheduled for February 20, 2024, in front of Judge Chantelle Porter.
• Dexter Williams, 37 (d.o.b. 11/18/1986) of Chicago is accused of leading police on a high-speed chase reaching speeds of approximately 100 mph on eastbound Roosevelt Road in Lombard before crashing his car into a light pole at Ogden Avenue and Western Avenue in Chicago at approximately 1:09 a.m., on Feb. 17, 2024. After crashing his vehicle, Williams and two other individuals allegedly attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody. When searching Williams’ vehicle, authorities allegedly found four catalytic converters, a jack, a Sawzall and Sawzall blades. Williams is charged with one count of Receive, Possess or Sell Stolen Motor Vehicle or Essential Part (Class 2 Felony), one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony), one count of Possession of Burglary Tools (Class 4 Felony) and one dozen Misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including Resisting or Obstructing a Police Officer. Williams’ next court date is scheduled for March 18, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

“Last year, DuPage County saw a significant increase in the numbers of people who attempted to flee from police instead of pulling over,” Berlin said. “With the weather getting nicer and people out traveling more, law enforcement in DuPage County is determined to not have a repeat of the epidemic of fleeing and eluding we saw last year. Make no mistake, we will use every tool at our disposal, including helicopters, drones and the assistance of neighboring jurisdictions to arrest and charge anyone who attempts to flee from police. This behavior unnecessarily puts the officers involved and thousands of innocent motorists at great risk and will simply not be tolerated. I urge everyone, if you hear sirens and see lights behind you, pull over. Do not attempt to flee, you will be unsuccessful. I thank the Lombard and Naperville Police Departments for their efforts on these cases and for keeping our roads safe as well as the Forest Park Police Department for their assistance. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Philip Ungar and Michael Paup for their efforts in securing charges against these defendants.”

“I thank all of the officers involved in this incident for their efforts in safely taking the suspect into custody,” Wirsing said. “I also thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their work and legal guidance on this case.”          

“This one criminal act could have easily injured a number of our officers and placed motorists from here to DeKalb in serious danger," said Chief Arres. "I am so grateful for the health and safety of all the officers involved and for the assistance of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending this reckless individual. I would also like to thank DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their partnership in holding the perpetrators of such dangerous crimes accountable."

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.