Offender in armed Addison crime spree denied bond; committed Armed Robbery and Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking

Addison – DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Addison Director of Police Bill Hayden announced today that bond has been denied for one of two men accused of hijacking at gunpoint a Chevy Camaro from a man late Monday night and robbing an Addison gas station at gunpoint on March 29, 2020. James T. Kimbrough, 22 (d.o.b. 9/19/1997) of 714 E. 147th Street, Dolton, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Jeffrey MacKay denied bond. The second defendant, Malik Pierre-Louis, 23 (d.o.b. 8/10/1996) of 991 East Lake Street, Addison, is scheduled to appear in Bond Court tomorrow morning. Both men have been charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class X Felony) and one count of Armed Robbery (Class X Felony).

On May 11, 2020, at approximately 11:50 p.m., officers with the Addison Police Department responded to a residence in Addison for an Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking. It is alleged that the victim was sitting in his car outside his residence talking on the phone when he observed a white colored Sedan drive by slowly. It is alleged that a short while later, a man, later identified as Kimbrough, approached the driver’s side window and asked if he could borrow the victim’s cellular phone. The victim declined but ultimately changed his mind and told Kimbrough he could speak using the in-car Bluetooth system. It is alleged that after Kimbrough attempted to make three phone calls, he pointed a gun at the victim and ordered him out of the car. It is alleged that the victim complied at which time Kimbrough entered the car and drove off at a high rate of speed. The victim then ran inside his residence and contacted the police. An investigation into the matter led authorities to a gas station on Archer Avenue in Summit. It is alleged that as the Darien Police Department and the Illinois State Police attempted a felony stop on the vehicle, the driver of the car, later identified as Pierre-Louis, allegedly attempted to flee the scene as Kimbrough was attempting to enter the vehicle. It is further alleged that at this time the vehicle was disabled using OnStar and that Pierre-Louis exited the vehicle and fled on foot while Kimbrough got into the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Kimbrough was taken into custody at this time. Officers recovered a firearm from the vehicle. Pierre-Louis was taken into custody the following day from a hotel in Addison.

On March 29, 2020, at approximately 2:45 a.m., the Addison Police Department responded to a call regarding an armed robbery at a Marathon Gas Station. Through the course of their investigation, officers learned that two masked men, later identified as Kimbrough and Pierre-Louis, allegedly attempted to force their way into the secured booth where the clerk was working. It is alleged that Pierre-Louis took out a black handgun and fired a round through the protective glass. It is further alleged that Kimbrough and Pierre-Louis then kicked their way into the secured area where the clerk was and stole money and Swisher Sweet cigars. It is alleged that the two men then fled the scene.

“Mistakenly, Mr. Kimbrough and Mr. Pierre-Louis allegedly thought they could take advantage of the current health crisis to terrorize Addison,” Berlin said. “They could not have been further from the truth. It is trying times such as these where law enforcement in DuPage County shines and shows what it truly means to serve and protect. The quick apprehension of these two defendants should make this crystal clear to anyone even thinking about committing a crime in DuPage County. Thanks to the exceptional work of the Addison Police Department, what appears to be the beginning of a two-man crime spree was quickly snuffed out. I would like to thank the Darien Police Department and the Illinois State Police for their outstanding cooperative efforts on this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Kristin Sullivan and Anthony Pasquini for their work in securing charges against these two defendants.”

“I am extremely proud of the dedication and professionalism exhibited by our officers who worked this case,” Hayden said. “The quick identification and apprehension of the two suspects is a testament to our ongoing commitment to the safety and security of Addison residents. I thank the Dolton Police Department and the Illinois State Police for their assistance as well as the State’s Attorney’s Office for their legal guidance.”

Kimbrough’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 11, 2020, for arraignment in front of Judge George Bakalis.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is 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.

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Update 5/14/2020: DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that bond has been denied for the second of two men accused of hijacking at gunpoint a Chevy Camaro from a man late Monday night and robbing an Addison gas station at gunpoint on March 29, 2020. Malik Pierre-Louis, 23 (d.o.b. 8/10/1996) of 991 East Lake Street, Addison, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Jeffrey MacKay denied bond.

Both men have been charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class X Felony) and one count of Armed Robbery (Class X Felony).

“The fact that Judge MacKay denied bond for these two defendants sends the message that in DuPage County, violent crimes are taken very seriously and are treated as such,” Berlin said. “Anyone caught committing such a brazen act of violence in DuPage County will be held accountable and, if convicted, will face a significant amount of time behind bars. I would once again like to thank the Addison and Darien Police Departments and the Illinois State Police for their work that resulted in the quick apprehension of these two defendants. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Kristin Sullivan and Anthony Pasquini for their efforts.”

Kimbrough’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 11, 2020, for arraignment in front of Judge Bakalis. Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is 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.

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