Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres have reported that a 15-year-old male from Aurora has been charged with possessing a loaded semiautomatic pistol. During a detention hearing, Judge Chantelle Porter ordered the juvenile to be released to his mother's custody under home detention. The charges include one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, classified as a Class 4 Felony, and one count of Misdemeanor Possession of Ammunition without a FOID Card.

The incident occurred on May 5, 2024, around 3:14 a.m., when Naperville police stopped a Nissan Altima for improper lane usage at Washington and Iroquois. It is alleged that the officer saw the driver, identified as the juvenile, reaching behind the driver's seat. Upon investigation, officers reportedly found a loaded 9 mm CPX 2 handgun with one bullet in the chamber behind the seat. Further inquiries suggested that the juvenile took both the vehicle and firearm from his mother’s residence without her consent. The juvenile was subsequently taken into custody.

Berlin expressed concern over the allegations stating, “The allegations that a fifteen-year-old boy took his mother’s car and gun without her knowledge and was found shortly after three o’clock in the morning driving through Naperville are extremely disturbing.” He thanked Naperville Police Department along with Assistant State’s Attorneys Marta Prell and Michael Paup for their contributions to this case.

Chief Arres also voiced his concerns about such behavior from someone so young but commended law enforcement efforts saying, “It is quite disturbing that someone so young would engage in such reckless and allegedly criminal behavior, but I’m extremely grateful for the proactive efforts of our officers, who intervened and potentially prevented additional crimes from being committed.” He acknowledged DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin's office for their assistance.

The next court date for this case is set for June 14, 2024, before Judge Porter. It is important to note that these charges are not evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.