Dolton defendant charged with Class X Armed Habitual Criminal due to criminal history.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Cook County convicted felon accused of illegally possessing a firearm in the parking lot of the Naperville Topgolf facility. Courtney Bennett, age 36, of the 200 block of 141 Street, Dolton, appeared at First Appearance Court Monday morning, August 19, 2024 charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), Misdemeanor counts of Resisting a Police Officer, Obstructing a Police Officer, Possession of Cannabis and one petty offense of Transportation of Possession of Open Alcohol by a Driver. Bennett’s criminal history includes three Unlawful Use of a Weapon convictions, which make him eligible for the Armed Habitual Criminal Charge.
On Sunday, August 18, 2024, at approximately 12:56 a.m., officers on surveillance assignment at Topgolf allegedly observed a white Alfa Romeo enter the parking lot with a male driver, later identified as Bennett, and an unidentified female passenger, with a gun in plain view in the center console along with two open cans of an alcoholic beverage, spiked Minute Maid. Officers began surveillance on the Alfa Romeo. Allegedly, Bennett returned alone to his vehicle, got in the car and started the car at which time Naperville police officers pinned the Alfa Romero in the parking spot from the front. Allegedly, Bennett then got out of the vehicle and unsuccessfully attempted to throw his car keys to nearby family members to lock the car. Bennett was placed under arrest at this time. Allegedly, as police officers handcuffed Bennett, he attempted to pull away from the officers. Police officers located a fully-loaded Taurus 40THC .40 Caliber handgun with a fifteen-round magazine, while Bennett was also in possession of more than ten grams, but less than thirty grams, of a substance containing cannabis at the time of his arrest.
“With multiple felony weapons convictions, Mr. Bennett is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. The allegations that he was in possession of a loaded weapon at a family-friendly recreation facility are extremely troubling and, in consideration of his past criminal history, if he is found guilty of today’s charges, Mr. Bennett will find himself facing up to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Once again, I commend the Naperville Police Department for their vigilant and observant police work that has once more led to the removal of a dangerous weapon from our streets and quite possibly prevented a future tragedy. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Adam Frahm and Anthony Raimondi for their work in securing charges against Mr. Bennett.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“The safety of Naperville’s residents and visitors is a top priority for this department, and nothing compromises their safety more than firearms in the possession of those who are not legally allowed to have them. For this reason, we will continue to be proactive throughout the city and arrest individuals who are found to be illegally in possession of firearms. I want to thank our officers for their dedication to this mission and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their support and follow-through with these cases.”
— Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres
Bennett’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 16, 2024, 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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