DuPage Court Grants Detainment of Armed Teen Who Fled Police in Stolen Dodge Charger

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Jujuan Barnes, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (SOURCE: DuPage County Sheriff's Office)
Jujuan Barnes, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (SOURCE: DuPage County Sheriff’s Office).

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Mike Rivas announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s Motion to Detain pre-trial an armed Cook County male suspect charged with leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car. Jujuan Barnes, age 19 of the 15100 block of Diekman, Dolton, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 1 Felony), one count of Attempt Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony), two counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).




On January 27, 2025, at approximately 3:01 a.m., Villa Park police officers received information regarding a black Dodge Charger, valued at $43,695, which was just stolen from a Kane County automobile dealership and fled from St. Charles police. Officers located the vehicle, allegedly driven by Barnes, travelling at a high rate of speed and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, which was unsuccessful. It is alleged that instead of pulling over for officers, the Charger continued driving at a high rate of speed reaching speeds of approximately 106 mph near North Avenue and Ardmore Avenue. It is further alleged that the Charger was being trailed by a white Infiniti. It is alleged that both vehicles continued to flee from police eastbound on North Avenue. During the pursuit, officers successfully spike-stripped the Charger at I-290 and North Avenue, but the Infiniti evaded the strips. It is alleged that both vehicles entered I-290 east, exited at St. Charles Road into an Elmhurst residential neighborhood where the Charger slowed down and two occupants, including Barnes and an unidentified individual, exited the Charger and entered the Infiniti, which continued to flee back onto I-290 east reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. It is further alleged that between St. Charles Road and Mannheim Road, the driver of the Infiniti lost control and crashed into a Volvo, injuring the occupant of the Volvo who was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Following the crash, it is alleged that four occupants of the Infiniti fled on foot. Barnes was taken into custody after officers tasered him. Another individual was also taken into custody at this time. As officers placed Barnes under arrest, they allegedly found a loaded Glock 22 handgun in his backpack along with burglary tools and two generic key fobs capable of being reprogrammed. When processing the Infiniti, officers located a loaded RDA handgun with an attached fifty-round drum magazine and a loaded Glock 22 with a fifty-round drum magazine.

“The apprehension of the defendant in this case sends the crystal-clear message that in DuPage County, you cannot outrun the law. The allegations that Mr. Barnes led police on a 100-mph high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle while armed with a loaded handgun are extremely serious and will be met with the full force of the law. This behavior is extremely dangerous and puts not only the accused, but the officers involved as well as the motoring public at tremendous risk, as we saw in this case. Thankfully, the innocent victim that the Infiniti allegedly crashed into did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Once again, I urge everyone, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. Leading police on a high-speed chase is not the answer and will lead to serious consequences. I thank the Villa Park Police department for their outstanding work on this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sean Kinsella and Michael Pingaj for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Barnes.”

— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin




“The public is reminded, if you are engaged in criminal activity in this area, expect the Villa Park police officers to do all in our power to arrest you and bring you to justice. The alleged actions of the accused put the public at risk. There is no telling what future serious crime was thwarted by this arrest. The heroic actions of our Villa Park officers were aided by the great officers from the Elmhurst Police Department, the Hillside Police Department and the Oak Brook Police Department. The level of coordination and communication with all agencies involved helped take the accused off the streets. We are relieved that the injuries to the innocent passerby was not serious. We thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his incredible team in seeking serious charges against the alleged offender.”

— Villa Park Chief of Police Mike Rivas

Barnes’ next court appearance is scheduled for February 24, 2025, in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.

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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