Judge Grants State’s Motion to Deny Pre-Trial Release for Cook County Man Charged with Leading Wood Dale Police Chief on High-Speed Pursuit

Angelo Martinez of Rolling Meadows was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including Reckless Driving and Driving While License Suspended, both Class A Misdemeanors.

AFTER Wood Dale CHIEF of Police TERMINATED The PURSUIT, The DEFENDANT ALLEGEDLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ELK GROVE.

WOOD DALE - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wood Dale Chief of Police Chris Zito announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Cook County man accused of leading Chief Zito on a high-speed chase. Angelo Martinez, 28 (d.o.b. 6/3/1995) of the 3500 block of E. Frontage Road, Rolling Meadows, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including Reckless Driving and Driving While License Suspended, both Class A Misdemeanors.

On October 3, 2023, at approximately 8:05 a.m., Chief Zito observed a silver Dodge Dart, later determined to be driven by Martinez, allegedly driving recklessly, almost striking other motorists on I-390. As Martinez exited I-390 onto Wood Dale Road, Chief Zito activated his emergency lights and siren at which time Martinez allegedly accelerated away from Chief Zito. It is alleged that Martinez continued driving away from Chief Zito reaching speeds in excess of 80 mph and ignored stop signs at Lively Boulevard and S. Thorndale Avenue and Lively Boulevard and N. Thorndale Avenue. It is alleged that Martinez then disobeyed red lights at Wood Dale Road and S. Thorndale Avenue and at Wood Dale Road and Devon Avenue. Chief Zito then terminated pursuit out of safety concerns. It is further alleged that a short time later Martinez crashed into another vehicle in Elk Grove Village. Through the course of their investigation, authorities identified Martinez as the alleged driver of the Dart.

“During the past week, we have seen yet another concerning increase in the number of motorists fleeing from police,” Berlin said. “Judge Dieden’s order to hold Mr. Martinez pre-trial sends the message that in DuPage County we will not tolerate this type of dangerous behavior that poses a threat not only to the driver, but also puts the police officers involved and motoring public at great risk. I thank Chief Zito and the entire Wood Dale Police Department for their efforts in this case and for their continued work in keeping our streets safe as well as the Bensenville Police Department for their assistance. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alyssa Rabulinski and Anthony Raimondi for their work securing charges against Mr. Martinez.”

“The alleged reckless conduct of the accused demonstrates that he has no concern for the safety of the public or law enforcement officers,” Zito said. “The Wood Dale Police Department has seen a significant increase from traffic violators and criminals who believe they will escape by attempting to flee from law enforcement. This is simply not the case and the Wood Dale Police Department will continue to work together with surrounding law enforcement agencies, and utilize the available law enforcement technologies, to bring all who commit crimes in the City of Wood Dale to justice. We thank the Bensenville Police Department, who assisted us in locating the offending vehicle and joined us in taking the alleged offender into custody. We also thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his office for their vigorous efforts in preparing this criminal case for prosecution.”

Martinez’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 18, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian 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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