DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Woodridge Chief of Police Tom Stefanson announced Wednesday, March 11, 2026 that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain a Chicago male suspect accused of dragging a Woodridge police officer with his vehicle while attempting to flee police. Deandrae Walker, age 36, of the 600 block of Homan Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court Wednesday morning charged with one count of Aggravated Battery – Police Officer (Class 2 Felony), one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony), one count of Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property (Class 3 Felony), one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony), one count of Resisting a Police Officer – Causing Injury (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor offenses including Criminal Damage to Property, Driving While License Suspended and Operation of Uninsured Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm.
On March 10, 2026, at approximately 8:23 a.m., Woodridge detectives on surveillance at the Target store, 2333 63rd Street, observed an individual, later identified as Walker, exit the store with a shopping cart containing eighteen bottles of Tito’s vodka, valued at approximately $623.33, allegedly without paying for the merchandise. As Deandrae Walker began loading the merchandise into a black Kia SUV, detectives in an unmarked SUV approached the Kia and parked with the front of their vehicle near the front driver’s side of the Kia. When the detectives approached Walker and identified themselves as police officers, Walker got into the passenger side of the Kia. When a detective opened the driver’s side door and ordered Walker to get out of the Kia, Walker reached over, tried unsuccessfully to close the driver’s side door and then got into the driver’s seat. Walker then put the car into drive and told the detective, who had his foot in the well of the driver’s side, to get out of the car. With the detective’s foot still in the well of the vehicle, Walker allegedly drove forward a few inches, stopped and then drove away at a high rate of speed, sideswiping the detective’s SUV and dragging the detective until he fell to the ground near the police SUV. Authorities located the Kia a short time later in Berwyn. Following a pursuit by the Forest Park Police Department, Walker was taken into custody in the 3500 block of West Monroe, Chicago.
In Woodridge, the injured officer was transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
“Because of the alleged actions of Mr. Walker, an investigation into the theft of more than $600 dollars’ worth of alcohol, turned violent and potentially deadly in just a matter of seconds. Thankfully neither the officer, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is on the mend, nor any other officers or innocent bystanders were injured by Mr. Walker’s alleged attempt to flee the scene. I commend the Woodridge Police Department for their efforts in this matter and wish a complete and speedy recovery to the injured officer. I thank the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Forest Park, North Riverside, and Chicago Police Departments for their assistance in the identification and apprehension of the defendant. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Robert Willis and Jennifer Nielsen for their efforts in securing charges against Mr. Walker.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“Woodridge and DuPage County are safe communities, and this type of lawless behavior and disregard for human life has no place here. I am grateful that our officer was not more seriously injured and is now home recuperating. I want to thank the officers of the Woodridge Police Department, along with the assisting officers from the Forest Park, North Riverside, and Chicago Police Departments, as well as agents from the DuPage Metropolitan Enforcement Group, for their swift work in identifying, locating, and arresting the suspect. I also extend my appreciation to DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their legal guidance and support throughout this case.”
— Woodridge Chief of Police Tom Stefanson
Walker’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 6, 2026, 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. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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