Bond Set at $1 Million for Cook County Man Charged with Fleeing Police in a Stolen Motor Vehicle/Cocaine Possession
THE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CHASE AND CRASH WAS ALLEGEDLY HIJACKED IN CHICAGO THE PREVIOUS DAY.
ELMHURST - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael Ruth announced today that bond has been set for a Cook County man charged with attempting to flee police in a stolen motor vehicle. Gonzalo Guerrero, 29 (d.o.b. 4/24/1992) of the 14000 block of Lawndale Avenue, Midlothian, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Brian Telander set bond at $1 million with 10% to apply. Guerrero has been charged with one count of Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 1 Felony), three counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony) and two traffic offenses.
On March 2, 2022, at approximately 1:30 p.m., an officer with the Elmhurst Police Department observed a 2020 Nissan near the intersection of St. Charles Road and Fair Avenue that was allegedly taken in an aggravated vehicular hijacking out of Chicago the previous day. A short time later, a second Elmhurst police officer observed the Nissan, allegedly driven by Guerrero, near St. Charles Road and Cottage Hill Avenue. When the officer began to follow the Nissan, it is alleged that the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed. It is alleged that the Nissan then turned southbound onto Spring Road at which time the officer activated his emergency lights in attempt to conduct a traffic stop. It is alleged that the vehicle did not stop and instead continued driving through a residential neighborhood at a high rate of speed. It is further alleged that the Nissan struck another vehicle as it turned on to Spring Road causing such damage to his vehicle that the officer was forced to break a window in the vehicle to remove the driver. It is further alleged that during a search, the officer found a baggie containing cocaine in Guerrero’s possession. Guerrero was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment where he was treated and released.
“The lawlessness and complete disregard for the safety of the general public allegedly displayed by Mr. Guerrero as he led an officer on a high-speed chase in the middle of the afternoon through a residential neighborhood in a stolen motor vehicle will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Berlin said. “I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their work not only in this case but for their continued efforts in keeping our roadways safe. I would like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Denis Cahill and Lee Roupas for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Guerrero.”
Guerrero’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 1, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Telander.
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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