DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced Sunday, September 29, 2024 that Judge Robert Gibson granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for three men accused of robbing a Downers Grove man of his property and his vehicle at gunpoint on September 28, 2024. Javari Williams, age 18, of the 15200 block of Turlington Avenue, Harvey; Tremaine Nelson, age 18, of the 3400 block of Rhode Island Court, Gary, Indiana; and Tyray Hemphill, age 22, of the 6400 block of S. Oakley, Chicago, each appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm, one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm and one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking – victim over sixty, all Class X Felonies.
On September 27, 2024, at approximately 6:50 p.m., DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 36th and Fairview Avenue in unincorporated Downers Grove for a report of an armed robbery of a motor vehicle that had just occurred. After speaking with the victim — a man over sixty years old — authorities learned that a black 2006 Dodge Charger was allegedly involved in the robbery.
The Downers Grove Police Department arrived on scene and were able to locate the Charger and the victim’s vehicle, a 2006 Silver Chrysler 300 SRT, in the area. Officers began pursuit of the two vehicles and after a short time, the driver of the Dodge Charger crashed on Route 83 in Hinsdale. After crashing, four occupants of the Charger allegedly exited the vehicle and began walking northbound on the shoulder of Route 83. A Hinsdale police officer approached the four individuals at which time three of them, later identified as the defendants, climbed over a wooden fence and fled while the fourth individual allegedly claimed that he was the victim of a robbery and ultimately escaped law enforcement.
The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies immediately established a perimeter and took the three defendants into custody after a brief search. Nelson was allegedly located in a window well in the 500 block of North Quincy Avenue in Hinsdale. Police officers found a loaded Glock 23 semi-automatic .40 Caliber handgun with one bullet in the chamber in the same window well. Allegedly, Williams and Hemphill were also discovered on the same property. Two additional handguns including a loaded Glock 23 Gen 4 with an extended magazine, were also located.
Following an investigation of the case, the victim had arranged with an individual named “Reyes” to sell his car on the “Offer up” sales application. Allegedly, Reyes and the victim met at the victim’s home and went for a test drive. After the test drive, Reyes convinced the victim to walk down the street to meet a friend that had a tow truck. Alleged, as the victim and Reyes began walking down the street, the victim turned around and began to walk back to his car at which time the defendants, who had pulled the Charger up to the victim’s car, exited the Charger and ran towards the victim with their guns drawn. Allegedly, the defendants then pointed their guns at the victim’s head, back and groin and went through his pockets stealing his wallet, car keys, a gold chain, a watch and cell phone. Allegedly, the defendants then pushed the victim to the ground, told him “don’t f***ing move” and then fled in the victim’s car and the Charger. Authorities also learned that the Dodge Charger “chase car” the carjackers used was reported stolen out of Chicago on September 23, 2024.
“The allegations that Javari Williams, Tremain Nelson and Tyray Hemphill violently robbed an innocent man of his car, pointing three guns at him, and tried to hide in a residential neighborhood, are frightening. We are all thankful that the victim in this case was not physically harmed. The quick apprehension of the defendants in this case demonstrates DuPage County law enforcement’s commitment to public safety and willingness to work together to ensure the safety and security of all our residents. I commend Sheriff Mendrick and his office as well as the Downers Grove and Hinsdale Police Departments for their outstanding efforts that led to the apprehension of the defendants in this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Pingaj and Philip Ungar for their efforts in securing charges against the men allegedly responsible for this violent robbery.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“This type of violent crime will not be tolerated. DuPage county will continue to arrest anyone who contributes to gun violence in our county. I thank State’s Attorney Berlin and his team for filing appropriate charges in this case”
— DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick
An investigation into the matter continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office at (630) 407-2400.
The next court date for all three defendants is scheduled for October 28, 2024, for arraignment.
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.
— DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office
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