Chicago man arrested; charged with fleeing in a stolen motor vehicle and spitting on State Trooper
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and ISP District 15 Commander Jason Bradley announced yesterday that bond has been set for a Chicago man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. Carlos Perez, 22 (d.o.b. 6/23/1998) of the 5500 block of N. Sawyer, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh set bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply. In all, Perez has been charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding – Stolen Vehicle (Class 1 Felony), one count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony), Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Criminal Damage to State Property (Class 3 Felony).
On November 23, 2020, at approximately 7:41 p.m., an Illinois State Trooper observed a man, later identified as Perez, standing next to his car on an entrance ramp to I-294. The trooper approached Perez and told him to pull his car over to the side of the road. It is alleged that at this time, Perez entered the vehicle and fled the scene northbound on I-294. It is alleged that Perez led multiple squad cars on a high-speed chase in excess of 90 mph on northbound I-294. It is alleged that Perez exited I-294 northbound, drove through a residential area at a high rate of speed and then re-entered I-294 southbound. It is alleged that Perez exited I-294 southbound and led troopers through residential neighborhoods in Burr Ridge and Darien at speeds of approximately 80 mph. It is alleged that Perez drove down a dead-end street, turned his vehicle around in an attempt to flee and crashed the vehicle he was driving into two squad cars. It is further alleged that Perez attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody by troopers. It is further alleged that as troopers took Perez into custody, he spit on one of the troopers and told her that he had COVID-19. Through their work on this case, troopers learned the vehicle Perez was allegedly driving was reported stolen out of Chicago three hours earlier.
“It is alleged that Mr. Perez thumbed his nose at the rule of law and, with a complete disregard for the safety of the motoring public and as well as pedestrians, led authorities on a high-speed chase not only on a major highway but also through residential neighborhoods,” Berlin said. “Thankfully, no one was injured as Mr. Perez allegedly sped past residents’ front yards approaching speeds of eighty mph. Additionally, the allegation that Mr. Perez spit on a trooper after claiming he was infected with Covid-19 is outrageous behavior that will not be tolerated. I would like to thank the Illinois State Police for their efforts in the apprehension of the defendant in this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Heather Misura and Steven Lupa for their work in securing charges against Mr. Perez.”
“The Illinois State Police mission is to protect the public on the roadways. The ISP Trooper who made the stop did just that in this case. Thankfully, this ended with no bystanders being injured and the suspect being apprehended,” said ISP District 15 Commander Jason Bradley.
Perez’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 6, 2021, for arraignment in front of Judge Walsh.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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