DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Hinsdale Chief of Police Brian King announced today, Friday, September 6, 2024 that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Chicago convicted felon accused of possessing multiple handguns. Rakeem Wilton, age 28, of the 4800 block of South Calumet Avenue in Chicago, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Use/Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor and petty offenses including Transportation of Open Alcohol by a Driver.
On Thursday, September 5, 2024, at approximately 5:00 a.m., a Hinsdale police officer activated their emergency lights and sirens and attempted to stop a Jeep Patriot with Ohio license plates at Madison Street and 4th Street in Hinsdale for improper lane usage and no headlights. Allegedly, Rakeem Wilton, the driver of the Jeep, failed to pull over for the officer and ultimately crashed at Vine Street and Hinsdale Avenue after striking a raised curb. After crashing the Jeep, Wilton exited the vehicle and ran approximately fifty feet before he was captured by police, and taken into custody. Allegedly, during the pursuit, Wilton threw an object out of the car window. The object was discovered to be a loaded .380 caliber Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard pistol with five rounds in the magazine, Police officers also recovered a loaded .40 caliber Springfield Armory XD-40 pistol with one round in the chamber located on the front driver’s side floorboard of the Jeep.
“Due to Mr. Wilton’s criminal history and past felony convictions, he has lost the right to legally possess a gun. The allegations that Mr. Wilton, a convicted felon, was illegally in possession of two loaded weapons in a quiet, residential area near two elementary schools, attempted to flee from police — both in the Jeep and onlll foot, and was found with open alcohol in the vehicle, are completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Thankfully, no innocent motorists or pedestrians were injured as a result of Mr. Wilton’s alleged actions. I commend the Hinsdale Police Department for their observant, pro-active policing and apprehension of the defendant in this case and for their ongoing commitment to public safety. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alexandria Levan and Michael Paup for their efforts in securing strong charges against this defendant.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“We appreciate the attentiveness of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his staff, especially in the prosecution of these gun cases.”
— Hinsdale Chief of Police Brian King
Wilton’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 30, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh. If found guilty, Wilton faces a penalty of between six to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are 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 their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office
THANKS FOR READING CARDINAL NEWS
Get updates from The Cardinal ALL NEWS FEEDS on Facebook. Just ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). The updates cover all posts and sub-category posts from The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor