Court Grants State’s Motion to Detain Pre-Trial Chicago Man Charged with Possession of More Than 100 Grams of Illegal Narcotics and Leading Police on a High-Speed Chase

Kentrell Hayes, 25 (d.o.b. 9/16/1999) of the 2400 block of W. Grenshaw Street, is accused of possessing more than 100 grams of illegal narcotics and leading police on a high-speed chase.

“IT IS ALLEGED THAT MR. HAYES WAS IN POSSESSION OF MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED GRAMS OF FENTANYL/HEROIN MIXTURE THAT WAS CAPABLE OF KILLING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE,” BERLIN SAID. “ILLEGAL NARCOTICS CONTINUE TO SEEP INTO OUR COMMUNITIES CAUSING PAIN AND HEARTACHE ALONG THE WAY. OUR JOB, AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, IS TO DO ALL WE CAN TO STOP THIS DEADLY PLAGUE FROM SPREADING. THE ARREST OF THE DEFENDANT IN THIS CASE IS AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO DO JUST THAT.”

OAK BROOK - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man accused of possessing more than 100 grams of illegal narcotics and leading police on a high-speed chase. Kentrell Hayes, 25 (d.o.b. 9/16/1999) of the 2400 block of W. Grenshaw Street, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class Super X Felony), one count of Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).

On February 21, 2025, Westmont police stopped a gray Toyota sedan, allegedly driven by Hayes, for speeding eastbound on 63rd Street. It is alleged that when the Westmont officer exited his squad car, Hayes made a U-turn and began traveling westbound on 63rd Street. Westmont officers terminated the pursuit and a short time later, Hinsdale police picked up the Toyota speeding northbound on Route 83 and notified the Oak Brook Police Department. At approximately 1:40 a.m., Oakbrook police deployed stop sticks on northbound Route 83 near 31st Street. It is alleged that Hayes drove over the stop sticks but instead of stopping, increased his speed and exited Route 83 onto I-88. It is further alleged that an Oak Brook police officer activated his emergency lights and siren and began pursuit. It is alleged that during the pursuit, Hayes reached speeds of at least 95 mph on I-88. The officer was forced to terminate pursuit because debris was flying off Hayes’ vehicle and hitting the officer’s squad car, at which time another officer with the Oak Brook Police Department took over the pursuit. It is further alleged that despite the fact that Hayes’ vehicle had lost three of its tires, Hayes continued to flee to I-290 where he lost control of his vehicle and hit a concrete barrier on the side of I-290 causing the hood of his vehicle to flip on top of his windshield. It is alleged that Hayes continued to drive with the hood on his windshield and without three of his tires until he exited I-290 at Austin Boulevard. At that time, Forest Park police blocked him in and took him into custody at approximately 1:55 a.m. When searching Hayes and his vehicle, officers allegedly located approximately 108 bags containing heroin/fentanyl with an approximate total weight of 149 grams, four bags containing cocaine with an approximate weight of two grams and $1,620 in cash.

“It is alleged that Mr. Hayes was in possession of more than one hundred grams of fentanyl/heroin mixture that was capable of killing tens of thousands of people,” Berlin said. “Illegal narcotics continue to seep into our communities causing pain and heartache along the way. Our job, as law enforcement, is to do all we can to stop this deadly plague from spreading. The arrest of the defendant in this case is an outstanding example of law enforcement from different jurisdictions working together to do just that. I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their outstanding efforts in this case and for their continued work in protecting the public and keeping illegal narcotics out of our communities. I thank the Westmont, Hinsdale and Forest Park Police Departments for their assistance that led to a successful outcome. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandria Levan for her efforts in securing strong charges against Mr. Hayes.”

“This arrest is an excellent example of some of the underlying reasons offenders are fleeing from the police,” Strockis said. “I’m quite sure this offender has fled from the police in other jurisdictions numerous times and got away with it. His luck ran out this time and the Oak Brook Police Department continues to send a strong message that we will not tolerate reckless criminal behavior. I’d like to recognize our team for their coordinated effort in getting this offender in custody. I’d also like to thank the Forest Park Police Department for their assistance. Finally, thank you to State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their assistance and guidance on this case and specifically State’s Attorney Berlin’s strong support of the way we police in Oak Brook.”

Hayes’ next court appearance is scheduled for March 17, 2025, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

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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