Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Thomas Wirsing announced that Judge Joshua Dieden has approved the State's motion to deny pre-trial release for Gratas Zvirblis, an Elmhurst resident. The 21-year-old is accused of leading police on a chase and injuring an officer during his arrest. Zvirblis faces charges including aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, resisting arrest causing injury, as well as several misdemeanor traffic offenses such as DUI.

Zvirblis was already wanted on charges of aggravated assault related to a previous road rage incident. On October 24, Lombard Police responded to a crash involving a gray BMW allegedly driven by Zvirblis. The vehicle reportedly fled eastbound from the scene with one rim missing. Officers claim Zvirblis ignored emergency lights and sirens before rear-ending another vehicle on Spring Road. He then attempted to flee on foot but was caught by an officer, resulting in both falling and the officer sustaining an elbow injury.

Berlin commented on the case stating: "The allegations that Mr. Zvirblis not only fled from police in his car and through a residential neighborhood on foot, but then fought with the officer as he was being placed under arrest, causing injury to the officer, are outrageous." He also emphasized that such conduct will not be tolerated in DuPage County.

Chief Wirsing expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by multiple local police departments in apprehending Zvirblis: “On behalf of the Lombard Police Department, we would like to thank the Elmhurst, Oak Brook and Oakbrook Terrace Police Departments for their assistance apprehending this dangerous suspect.”

Zvirblis is scheduled for arraignment before Judge Margaret O’Connell on November 18. It is important to note that these charges are not proof of guilt; Zvirblis remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.