June 25, 2022
Bond Set at $300,000 For Cook County Man Currently on Parole Accused of Stealing Vehicle From Westmont Gas Station and Fleeing from Police at High Speeds
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Westmont Chief of Police James Gunther announced today that bond has been set for a Maywood man accused of stealing a vehicle from a Westmont gas station and fleeing from police at a high rate of speed.
Derichard Brown, 21 (d.o.b. 1/15/2001) of the 100 block of S. 12th Avenue, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Demetrios Panoushis set bond at $300,000 with 10% to apply.
Brown has been charged with one count of Aggravated Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).
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He is currently on parole for a Vehicular Hijacking case out of Cook County.
On June 24, 2022, at approximately 1:53 p.m., officers with the Westmont Police Department responded to a call at the BP gas station located at 200 E 55th Street for a report of a stolen motor vehicle.
An investigation into the matter found that the victim pulled into the gas station and left his car running as he went inside the store.
It is alleged that while the victim was in the store, Brown exited a vehicle in the parking lot and entered the victim’s vehicle.
It is alleged that when the victim left the store, approximately one to two minutes later, he saw his vehicle leaving the parking lot at a high rate of speed allegedly driven by Brown.
It is alleged that as Brown drove away, near Rt. 83 and 22nd street, an Oak Brook police officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop and that Brown did not stop and continued driving at speeds in excess of 95 mph.
Through the course of their investigation, Westmont police officers observed Brown and a second man use a key to get inside the vehicle later the same day in Chicago.
After Brown and the second man walked away from the car, Chicago police officers took Brown into custody.
“The blatant disregard for the law and public safety, as alleged against the defendant in this case, will not be tolerated in DuPage County,” Berlin said.
“The full and quick response from multiple law enforcement agencies further demonstrates our commitment to public safety and the pursuit of justice.
Thankfully, no one was physically injured as a result of Mr. Brown’s alleged actions.
I thank the Westmont, Oak Brook and Chicago Police Departments for their outstanding work on this case.
I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys​ Alyssa Rabulinski and Kelsey Kerr for their efforts in preparing a strong case against this defendant.”
“This deliberate and reckless act of fleeing in a stolen car put the entire community at risk,” Gunther said.
“I am proud of the dedicated officers and detectives of the Westmont Police Department who handled this incident with professionalism and dedication to the victim of this crime.
I would like to thank the Oak Brook and Chicago Police Departments for their assistance, as well as State’s Attorney Berlin and his staff for seeking a bond which was proportional to the criminal history of the suspect and seriousness of the crime committed.”
Brown’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 18, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Michael Reidy.
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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