News

Jul 31, 2023

Man Led Cops On High

WHEATON, IL — A 31-year-old Cook County man faces felony charges after Oak Brook police said that he led police on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph before he was caught

WHEATON, IL — A 31-year-old Cook County man faces felony charges after Oak Brook police said that he led police on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph before he was caught after fleeing on foot.

Chevelle Carter of Calumet City was ordered held on $75,000 bond on Tuesday after he was arrested last week following the incident, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office said. He faces charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 3 Felony) and one count of attempting to elude a police officer (Class 4 Felony).

Police said that they witnessed three people repeatedly getting out of their vehicle and going into a shopping mall before coming out and getting back into their vehicle. Oak Brook police later received a call regarding multiple individuals acting suspiciously with credit cards that were repeatedly denied.

Officers then saw the same vehicle pull up near the Macy’s department store and pick up two people. An officer approached the vehicle in his squad car at which time the vehicle allegedly began to drive away, weaving in and out of the parking lot and striking a parked car causing minor injury to the car’s passenger.

The officer activated his lights and attempted to pull the car over at which time the vehicle, reportedly driven by Carter, left the mall, ignored a red traffic light, and drove east on 22nd Street, police said.

Prosecutors say that Carter drove approximately 100 mph on 22nd Street to York Road where he again ignored a red light and headed north on York Road, again reaching a speed of approximately 100 mph. Prosecutors also said that Carter then went eastbound on Roosevelt Road and that just prior to entering the I-290 ramp he came to a stop after driving over spike strips placed by another officer.

Police said that Carter and two other unidentified suspects fled the vehicle on foot. A short time later, officers took Carter into custody.

When officers searched the vehicle, they recovered one Smith and Wesson 9mm firearm and two Glock 9 mm firearms, prosecutors said. All three guns were loaded, and the Smith and Wesson was reported stolen out of Indiana, according to police. Authorities found that Carter has a fugitive warrant out of Lake County, Indiana, for probation violation on vehicle theft charges. All three weapons recovered have been sent to the DuPage County Crime Lab for analysis.

“What I find extremely troubling about this recent epidemic of people fleeing from the police is that we had two cases this past weekend involving a defendant allegedly fleeing from police that caused injury to an innocent person,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said.

“We are all very thankful that the injury sustained by the innocent man in the parked car does not appear to be serious. This phenomenon of ignoring the police and putting innocent motorists in harm’s way must stop before someone gets killed. I urge all motorists if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. Not doing so will not only make matters worse but also puts all those involved as well as innocent people at risk.”

Carter is due back in court on Aug. 28 for arraignment.

Police continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jason Wood with the Oak Brook Police Department at (630) 368-8750