Three Arrested After Fleeing from an Alleged Stolen Vehicle

At approximately 7:11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of S. Washington St. in an attempt to locate a black GMC Acadia that was allegedly taken an hour earlier in a vehicular carjacking from another suburb.  Officers arrived on scene and located the Acadia running and backed into a parking space in an apartment complex.  Officers successfully used their squad cars to pin the Acadia and prevent it from leaving the lot.  Three suspects exited the Acadia and fled on foot.  Two of the suspects were quickly apprehended after a short foot pursuit.  Officers observed the third suspect fleeing while allegedly armed with a firearm in his hand.  That suspect scaled several fences before officers lost sight of him. 

Officers established a perimeter, and with the help of a K9, later located the third suspect, identified as Ezequiel Lopez-Bey, a 22-year-old male of Palatine, hiding in a shed in a resident’s backyard.  A firearm was recovered from a nearby backyard where Lopez-Bay was allegedly seen scaling a fence.

Ezequiel Lopez-Bey was charged with Resisting a Peace Officer, a Class A Misdemeanor, Receive, Possess or Sell a Stolen Motor Vehicle or Essential Part, a Class 2 Felony, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class 4 Felony, and Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, a Class 4 Felony.

The other adult suspect was identified as Andrew B. De Lance, a 19-year-old male of Arlington Heights.  He was charged with Receive, Possess or Sell a Stolen Motor Vehicle or Essential Part, a Class 2 Felony, and Resisting a Peace Officer, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Lopez-Bey and De Lance were both processed at the Naperville Detention Center and later transported to the DuPage County Jail to await first appearance court.

The third suspect was identified as a juvenile and was released pending a direct file with the court system.

The Naperville Police Department would like to thank the Aurora Police Department, the Will County Sherriff’s Office and the Shorewood Police Department for their assistance in the apprehension of these suspects.

The Naperville Police wish to remind the public and the news media that a charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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.