DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced that on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial an Aurora man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen motor vehicle. Charles Walker, age 20, of the 300 block of Michigan Avenue in Aurora, appeared at First Appearance Court yesterday morning charged with one count of Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony), one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 3 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including Reckless Driving, Speeding 35+ MPH Over Limit and Improper Lane Usage.
On January 14, 2026, at approximately 12:35 a.m., a West Chicago police officer on traffic patrol at North Avenue and Marketing Drive, observed a 2016 Kia Rio traveling with no headlights or taillights at approximately sixty mph in a forty-five-mph zone. The officer began following the Kia traveling eastbound on North Avenue at which time the Kia allegedly accelerated, causing the officer to activate his emergency lights and siren. It is alleged that the Kia continued to accelerate away from the officer reaching speeds of approximately 107 mph. The officer terminated pursuit as the Kia entered a neighboring jurisdiction. Approximately ten minutes later officers with the Elmhurst, Villa Park, Darien, Oak Brook and Berkeley Police Departments picked up pursuit of the Kia which ended after authorities spike-stripped the vehicle, causing the vehicle to slow down and ultimately drive into a ditch in Oak Brook. Once the Kia was stopped, Walker and two juveniles fled on foot. All three individuals were taken into custody at this time. The juveniles were released from custody pending further investigation.
“As evidenced by the multiple agencies involved in this case, law enforcement throughout DuPage County is committed to keeping our streets safe for all motorists. It is very simple, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. Do not think, even for a moment, that you can outrun police. I commend the West Chicago Police Department not only for their work on this case, but also for their ongoing efforts in keeping our roadways safe. I also thank the Elmhurst, Villa Park, Darien, Oak Brook and Berkeley Police Departments for their efforts in locating and apprehending the defendant in this case as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Sean Kinsella and Anna Derkacz for their work on this case.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“With assistance from our partners in neighboring jurisdictions, the defendant in this case has been taken off the streets and is now facing serious felony charges, including unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle,” Fleury said. “I thank all the officers involved in the safe apprehension of the defendant. I thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their legal guidance on this case and for their continued support of law enforcement.”
— West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury
Walker’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 9, 2026, in front of Judge Brian Telander.
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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