Judge orders detention of Chicago man accused in armed high-speed chase in DuPage County
A DuPage County judge granted the State's motion on April 14 to detain Miguel Figueroa, a convicted felon from Chicago, who is accused of leading police on a high-speed chase while armed with a loaded handgun. Figueroa appeared in First Appearance Court facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
The case has drawn attention due to the allegations that Figueroa not only fled police but did so while allegedly impaired and carrying an illegal weapon. Authorities say such incidents present significant risks to public safety.
According to the State’s Attorney’s office, Lisle police attempted to stop Figueroa's vehicle early on April 13 for alleged traffic violations near Route 53 and Warrenville Road. Instead of stopping, he allegedly sped away, reaching over 60 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone and driving on the wrong side of the road. Police later found his car crashed into a streetlight pole at Ogden Avenue and Finley Road in Downers Grove. Officers reported signs of impairment when they took him into custody and discovered a loaded revolver inside his vehicle.
“Like so many before him, Mr. Figueroa allegedly tried to outrun the police instead of simply pulling over,” Robert Berlin said. “To make matters worse, as a convicted felon, Mr. Figueroa has forfeited his right to legally possess a gun. The allegations that this defendant fled from the police, while armed with a loaded weapon and drunk, are extremely alarming and will be met with the full force of the law. I commend the Lisle Police Department for their efforts and good judgment on this case and for their ongoing work in keeping our neighborhoods safe. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Anthony Raimondi and Michael Pingaj for their work in securing charges against Mr. Figueroa.”
Lisle Chief of Police Michael Rodriguez also commented: “Fleeing from the police while armed and impaired puts our entire community at risk,” Rodriguez said. “I am proud of the sound judgment, teamwork, and professionalism our officers demonstrated in safely taking this armed and dangerous individual into custody and I thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their unwavering support.”
Figueroa is scheduled to appear again before Judge Mia McPherson on May 11.
In other county news related to education statistics: The average student-to-teacher ratio in DuPage County was 13-to-1 during the 2022-23 school year with more than 142,000 students enrolled across local schools according to state data. Teacher absenteeism was recorded at 38.3%, which is higher than Illinois' statewide average as reported by state officials. York Community High School had DuPage County's highest enrollment among white students with more than 1,800 students according to state records, while Metea Valley High School led among multiracial student enrollment according to state data. Westmore Elementary School had ten Pacific Islander students—the highest number among county schools—based on official figures, whereas Addison Trail High School enrolled over twelve hundred Hispanic students last year as shown by state reports.
Authorities remind residents that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.