Three of 4 Detained Pretrial in DuPage County in Case Involving Stolen Autos, Guns, Fleeing and Eluding

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced today, Monday, February 24, 2025, that Judge Kentin Skarin has granted the State’s motion to detain three Cook County residents accused of stealing a high-end SUV earlier this month, and leading police on a high-speed chase. A fourth individual allegedly involved, Jocelyn Gonzalez, age 22, of the 3300 block of 133rd Street, Chicago, was not detained. Xavier Carrasco, age 19, of the 19600 block of Torrence Avenue, Lynwood, Matthew Perez, age 24, of the 4000 block of E. 134th Street, Chicago and Mariano Martinez, age 18, of the 10800 block of S. Greenbay Avenue, Chicago, each appeared at First Appearance Court today.

Carrasco and Martinez are both charged with one count of Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 1 Felony), one count of Theft – Over $10,000 (Class 1 Felony), one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).

Perez is charged with two counts of Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, two counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).

Gonzalez is charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding.

Elmhurst Police Department began an investigation on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, involving the theft of a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, valued at approximately $53,975. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT was reported stolen from the Al Piemonte Buick GMC dealership. Investigators discovered that at approximately 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, the driver of a black Cadillac SUV drove into the overhead service doors at the dealership. Also the driver of a Chevrolet SS arrived on scene, and a male, later identified as Carrasco, exited the Chevrolet, entered the dealership, retrieved keys for the Jeep, and fled the scene in the Jeep. The investigation also found that just a few minutes before the crime at Al Piemonte Buick GMC, the Cadillac SUV had been stolen by allegedly by Martinez from My Choice Motors, which is located approximately half a mile away from the Al Piemonte Buick GMC. A short time later, the drivers in the two vehicles drove to a gas station in Berkeley, and then the drivers of both vehicles fled the gas station at a high rate of speed when a Berkeley police officer pulled into the gas station.

Nine days later about 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025, a Lisle police officer on routine patrol observed headlights on in the parking lot. When the officer began to investigate, the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, that matched the description of the stolen Jeep, fled the scene on Ogden Avenue and entered eastbound I-88. A short time later, a Villa Park police officer observed the Jeep, with no lights on, traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on I-88. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren and began pursuit. Allegedly, the driver of the Jeep did not pull over, and continued eastbound on I-88 — at times reaching speeds of approximately 130 mph. The pursuit continued onto I-290, with multiple agencies assisting, including a Chicago Police Department helicopter. In an attempt to avoid spike strips, the driver of the Jeep swerved around an Oak Brook police officer, almost striking him, and continued to drive eastbound on I-290. While driving eastbound on I-290, the Jeep driver was swerving in and out of traffic, and reached a speed of approximately 126 mph. The driver allegedly lost control of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT apparently after losing the front passenger side tire. Four individuals, later identified as the defendants, exited the Jeep, jumped over the concrete median and fled on foot across I-290. All four defendants were taken into custody following a foot chase, with assistance of a Chicago Police Helicopter overhead. During the foot chase, Perez allegedly threw a Glock 20 handgun over a fence, and Martinez was allegedly found to be in possession of a magazine that matched the Glock 20 handgun. When searching the Jeep, authorities found a loaded AR rifle with twenty-eight rounds in the magazine, and a Springfield Armory 9 mm Hellcat micro handgun that that was reported stolen out of Cicero.

“The blatant disregard for the rule of law allegedly exhibited by these defendants is astonishing. The successful apprehension of these four defendants sends a loud and clear message that in DuPage County, we will not tolerate the type of lawless, dangerous behavior as alleged in this case. We will use every tool available to us, including a helicopter and our partners in law enforcement to go after those who break the law and put the public at risk. We are all very thankful that no innocent bystanders or motorists were injured as a result of the defendants’ alleged behavior. I thank the Villa Park Police Department for their outstanding police work that led to the apprehension of these four defendants. The apprehension of the defendants in this case was indeed a team effort and I want to recognize the Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Berkely, Maywood, Forest Park, Broadview and Lisle Police Departments as well as the Illinois State Police for their cooperation and assistance in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion. I especially thank the Chicago Police Department for air support that was instrumental in apprehending the defendants once the defendants allegedly fled their vehicle. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney’s Kevin Kosman and Nicholas Covert for their efforts in securing strong charges against the defendants.”

— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin

“The alleged actions of those subjects charged are truly disturbing. All four subjects showed a blatant disregard for public safety and for the properties of others. The public should be reminded to pull over for emergency lights and sirens. The public should also be reminded that all who commit violent crimes in our area will be met with all lawful resources available to put a stop to these criminal acts. I want to thank the brave men and women of the Villa Park Police Department for their tireless commitment to arresting all violent criminals who come through our area. Once the subjects were taken into custody it was truly a team effort for patrol, investigations, and our records department to process, investigate and care for the subjects while in our custody. The Villa Park Police Department is very successful at taking alleged violent offenders into custody. We do not act alone, and we are thankful to the police departments of Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Chicago and several Cook County Departments for the excellent coordination of tactics, communication, and investigations in this case. We would also like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his thorough team of Assistant State’s Attorneys who worked so hard to charge the alleged offenders with the nineteen felonies.”

— Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas

The next court appearance for Carrasco, Perez and Martinez is scheduled for March 7, 2025. Gonzalez’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 17, 2025.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are 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

MORE BOOKING PHOTOS BELOW ADS …

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 …

THANKS FOR READING CARDINAL NEWS