Possession of $90K Dodge Durango Stolen from Schaumburg Dealership, Resisting: Last Straw That Revokes Pre-Trial Release for Bloomingdale Teen

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Bloomingdale Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese announced Wednesday, February 19, 2025 that Judge Joseph Bugos granted the State’s motion to revoke pre-trial release for a Bloomingdale resident newly charged with possessing a stolen motor vehicle. Prior to Judge Bugos’ order, David Guzman, age 18, of the 200 block of Oxford Lane, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with …

one count of Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 1 Felony),

one count of Possession of Burglary Tools (Class 4 Felony),

one count each of Misdemeanor Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Damage to an Attended Vehicle,

Attempt Fleeing or Eluding a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, and

Resisting or Obstructing a Police Officer.

As required by law, Guzman was not detained pre-trial on the above offenses.

Following his appearance in First Appearance Court, the State filed its motion to revoke pre-trial release on Guzman’s previous case that alleges six counts of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, and Judge Joseph Bugos granted.

Guzman’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 17, 2025, in front of Judge Bugos.

On February 19, 2025, DuPage MERIT SWAT, along with multiple police agencies, went to Guzman’s residence on Oxford Lane to execute a search warrant pursuant to an investigation of a stolen Dodge Durango valued at $97,575 that was reported stolen out of a Schaumburg car dealership on February 14, 2025. As SWAT officers called out the defendant, he ran out of the front door of the home and entered the garage through a side door. After hearing the engine of the stolen Durango in the garage and believing that Guzman may attempt to ram his way out of the garage, officers positioned one of their vehicles on the driveway to block any such attempt. Allegedly Guzman began accelerating the Durango into the closed garage door from inside at which time the SWAT vehicle began pushing into the garage to prevent the defendant from fleeing. Unable to flee the scene in the Durango, Guzman, wearing just one shoe, ran out of the garage and fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, he was taken into custody. Upon searching Guzman, officers located a key fob in his right pocket that was reprogrammed and able to open, start and move the Durango. Inside the Durango, officers located two reprogrammers, two reprogramming tablets with power cords, a factory issued Dodge Key, and defendant’s other shoe on the driver’s floorboard.

“The successful identification and apprehension of the suspect in this case is a testament to the outstanding cooperative efforts displayed by multiple law enforcement agencies dedicated to public safety. What I find troubling however, is the fact that for the second time today, a defendant on pre-trial release appeared in Court charged with new, serious crimes. This fact illustrates the urgent need for changes to the State’s Safe-T-Act. Far too often, we are seeing cases where a defendant accused of a serious crime is released pre-trial because the Act does not allow judges to use their discretion for certain offenses. As I have consistently stated since the inception of the Safe-T-Act, judges, not the legislature, are in the best position to decide whether a defendant in any particular case poses a safety risk to society. I thank the Bloomingdale Police Department, DuPage MERIT SWAT and all the assisting agencies for their outstanding investigation that led to the arrest of the suspect I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Matt Dambach and Anna Derkacz for their extended efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Guzman.”

— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin

“The Bloomingdale Police Department worked with multiple agencies and the MERIT SWAT Team to apprehend an alleged offender who continually makes reckless decisions while attempting to evade arrest. On multiple occasions, it is alleged that he has committed crimes and then he has put citizens and law enforcement officers in harm’s way while attempting to elude apprehension by police. These alleged crimes will not be tolerated, and if convicted of these crimes, he should be held accountable for his actions. The citizens of DuPage County and Bloomingdale are thankful that hard working law enforcement officers are willing to do what it takes to lawfully arrest alleged offenders. Our police department seconds the concerns of State’s Attorney Berlin and his office regarding the potential for pre-trial release in a matter, such as this.”

— Bloomingdale Director of Public Safety Frank Giammarese

Again, Guzman’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 17, 2025, in front of Judge 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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