Dupage Policy Journal

Six minors believed to be Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. illegally were arrested in connection with an armed robbery in Downers Grove in late April, according to sources familiar with the investigation. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been notified and is reviewing the case, which has sparked local concern over both public safety and immigration enforcement. ICE officials have not commented publicly but are reportedly coordinating with local authorities regarding the suspects’ immigration status. 

The arrests stem from two related incidents that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, April 23. 

At around 8:30 p.m., a woman was sitting in her car at the intersection of Prairie and Forest avenues when she was surrounded by four men who began yelling and striking her vehicle. She managed to escape and called 9-1-1. 

Minutes later, another woman a block away on Forest Avenue was approached by three of the men who demanded money and attempted to steal her purse. 

One of the suspects reportedly lifted his shirt to display a "multi-colored handgun," prompting the victim to hand over cash before the men fled southbound. 

The victim was not injured.

Police responded to the area and later stopped a vehicle with six men inside on Highland Avenue. 

A search of the car revealed a sweatshirt matching the description given by the second victim, along with the distinctively colored handgun allegedly used in the robbery.

Sources close to the investigation, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, confirmed that the suspects are Venezuelan nationals from Aurora. 

Surveillance footage from a nearby business captured several of the individuals walking near the crime scene either shortly before or after the robbery. Those clips have been submitted to Downers Grove Police as part of the ongoing investigation.

According to the source, the suspects had intended to return to Aurora by train but were stranded due to a fatal train accident in Western Springs that disrupted service. 

The source said the only reason the suspects didn’t return to Aurora by train was because the service had been halted due to a fatal accident on the Metra line in Western Springs the night of the robbery. This unexpected disruption may have contributed to the suspects being located and apprehended in Downers Grove later that night.

The suspects are believed to be minors, and law enforcement officials have indicated that at least one of them is expected to face weapons-related charges.

A bond hearing for at least one suspect was reportedly held via Zoom shortly after the arrests.

The incident comes as Illinois saw an 821% increase in the number of illegal immigrants listing in-state addresses for immigration proceedings between 2021 and 2023, according to a Bloomberg News report. 

Meanwhile, Illinois taxpayers are projected to spend an estimated $2.84 billion on services for illegal immigrants from Fiscal Year 2023 through 2025, with over $2 billion of that tied to healthcare alone. 

Republican lawmakers have pushed to repeal the state's sanctuary policies and halt taxpayer-funded benefits, arguing the spending diverts resources from essential programs for citizens.

Conservative activists with the Save Illinois Coalition are currently working to place two non-binding immigration-related referendums on the 2026 Illinois and Chicago ballots. 

One question would ask whether the state should continue its sanctuary status under the TRUST Act, while the other would ask Chicagoans whether the city should continue spending tax dollars on illegal immigrants.

The push has received support from some Democrats and community leaders in black and Latino neighborhoods.