DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bensenville Chief of Police Daniel Schulze announced today, Monday, November 11, 2024, that Judge Thomas Else has granted the State’s motion to detain a Schiller Park man accused of pointing a gun at another man at a gas station and then leading police on a high-speed chase. Carlos Rivera, age 44, of the 10000 block of Irving Park Road, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony), one count of Aggravated Driving While License Suspended – Fourth to Ninth Offense (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor and petty offenses including Reckless Driving, Speeding 35+ mph Over Limit and Aggravated Assault on Public Property.
On November 8, 2024, at approximately 11:35 p.m., an officer with the Bensenville Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Irving Park Road and York Road on a vehicle, later determined to be driven by Rivera. The traffic stop was based on information that the driver allegedly pointed a rifle at an individual at a gas station. Instead of pulling over, Rivera allegedly fled officers, who had activated their emergency lights and sirens, at a high rate of speed reaching speeds of approximately 88 mph. While fleeing officers, Rivera allegedly failed to stop at a red light at Irving Park Road and York Road, ran red lights at Irving Park Road and Seymour and Irving Park Road and Mannheim Road. Next, Rivera also jumped the curb and drove into oncoming traffic near Cumberland Avenue and Bryn Mawr Avenue. The pursuit came to an end when Rivera turned into an alley, boxed himself in and then fled on foot. He was taken into custody in a backyard in the 8300 block of W. Catherine Avenue, Chicago. During the pursuit, Rivera allegedly threw an Airsoft gun out of the window of his vehicle on eastbound I-90 near the I-294 exit.
“The type of conduct alleged against Mr. Rivera is very concerning. This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and puts not only the driver at risk, but also endangers the police officers involved and the motoring public. We are all thankful that no one was injured as a result of Mr. Rivera’s alleged actions. I want to remind drivers that if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. Not doing so will only make matters worse. I thank the Bensenville Police Department for their efforts in the apprehension of the defendant in this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Heather Misura and Michael Pingaj for their work on this case.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“I thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team of capable attorneys for their continued work in assuring that those who pose a threat to public safety are detained pre-trial. I’d also like to thank the tireless, dedicated men and women of the police departments that banded together to take the suspect into custody despite his efforts to evade them.”
— Bensenville Chief of Police Daniel Schulze
Rivera’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 9, 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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