Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Hinsdale Chief of Police Brian King announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Chicago convicted felon accused of possessing multiple handguns. Rakeem Wilton, 28, of the 4800 block of S. Calumet Avenue, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Use/Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony) and multiple misdemeanor and petty offenses including Transportation of Open Alcohol by a Driver.

On September 5, 2024, at approximately 5:00 a.m., a Hinsdale police officer activated their emergency lights and sirens and attempted to stop a Jeep Patriot with Ohio license plates at Madison Street and 4th Street for improper lane usage and no headlights. It is alleged that the Jeep, driven by Wilton, failed to pull over for the officer and ultimately crashed at Vine Street and Hinsdale Avenue after striking a raised curb. It is alleged that after crashing the Jeep, Wilton exited the vehicle and ran approximately fifty feet before being taken into custody. It is further alleged that during the pursuit, Wilton threw an object, later determined to be a loaded .380 caliber Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard pistol with five rounds in the magazine, out of the car window. It is further alleged that on the front driver’s side floorboard of the Jeep, officers recovered a loaded .40 caliber Springfield Armory XD-40 pistol with one round in the chamber.

“Due to Mr. Wilton’s criminal history and past felony convictions, he has lost the right to legally possess a gun,” Berlin said. “The allegations that Mr. Wilton, a convicted felon, was illegally in possession of two loaded weapons in a quiet residential area near two elementary schools, attempted to flee from police both in the Jeep and on foot and was found with open alcohol in the vehicle are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Thankfully, no innocent motorists or pedestrians were injured as a result of Mr. Wilton’s alleged actions. I commend the Hinsdale Police Department for their observant pro-active policing and apprehension of the defendant in this case and for their ongoing commitment to public safety. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alexandria Levan and Michael Paup for their efforts in securing strong charges against this defendant.”

“We appreciate the attentiveness of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his staff, especially in the prosecution of these gun cases,” King said.

Wilton’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 30, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh. If found guilty, Wilton faces a penalty of between six to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are 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 their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.