April 3, 2026
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a West Chicago man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase while illegally in possession of a loaded gun. Carlos Barrera, 20 (d.o.b. 4/8/2005) of the 30W200 block of Brown Street, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor offenses including Battery and Driving While License Suspended.
On April 2, 2026, at approximately 11:45 p.m., West Chicago police responded to the 800 block of Lincoln Avenue, in response to a 911 call advising that the occupant of a vehicle allegedly flashed a gun at another individual while he was walking his dog. It is alleged that when an officer located the vehicle involved, later determined to be driven by Barrera, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop by activating his emergency lights and siren, Barrera fled westbound on Ann Street at a high rate of speed. It is alleged that Barrera ultimately made his way onto Roosevelt Road where the officer paced Barrera’s speed at approximately 100 m.p.h. near Winfield Road. It is further alleged that at one point during the pursuit, the officer was traveling head-on towards Barrera’s vehicle and that Barrera struck another vehicle that was stopped at a stop sign in order to evade the officer. Wheaton police officers were ultimately able to successfully spike strip Barrera’s vehicle at which time he was taken into custody. When searching Barrera’s vehicle, officers allegedly located a loaded, Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun with one bullet in the chamber.
“The allegations that Mr. Barrera fled from police at a high rate of speed while armed with a loaded gun are extremely disturbing,” Berlin said. “Once again, a defendant who thought they could outrun law enforcement in DuPage County learned the hard way that our officers are extremely well trained to safely apprehend those who flee instead of pulling over. Thankfully, no innocent pedestrians or motorists were injured as a result of Mr. Barrera’s alleged actions. I thank the West Chicago Police Department for their work on this case and for their ongoing efforts in keeping our roads safe as well as the Wheaton Police Department for their assistance. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Rob Willis and Michael Pingaj for their efforts in preparing charges against Mr. Barrera.”
“The dangerous and reckless actions allegedly taken by Mr. Barrera – fleeing at speeds of 100 m.p.h. and striking another vehicle, placed our officers and the entire community at significant risk,” Chief Fleury said. “I am incredibly grateful for the seamless collaboration between our agencies. I want to thank the Wheaton Police Department for their vital assistance in safely ending this pursuit, as well as State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their dedicated work in ensuring this individual is held accountable for these serious charges.”
Barrera’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 27, 2026, in front of Judge Brian Telander.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is 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 his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
