Aurora Juvenile Charged with Possession of Semiautomatic Weapon

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced that a fifteen-year-old male Aurora juvenile has been accused of possessing a loaded semiautomatic pistol. The juvenile appeared at his detention hearing yesterday where Judge Chantelle Porter ordered he be released to the custody of his mother on home detention lockdown. The juvenile is charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class 4 Felony and one count of Misdemeanor Possession of Ammunition without a FOID Card.      

On May 5, 2024, at approximately 3:14 a.m., an officer with the Naperville Police Department stopped a Nissan Altima at Washington and Iroquois for improper lane usage. It is alleged that during the stop, the officer observed the driver, later identified as the juvenile, reach down behind the driver’s seat. It is alleged that after speaking with the juvenile, the officer found a loaded 9 mm CPX 2 handgun with one bullet in the chamber, behind the driver’s seat. Following further investigation, it is alleged that the juvenile took both the car and the gun, which was in a lockbox, from his mother’s home without her permission. The juvenile was taken into custody at this time.

“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,” Berlin said. “I thank the Naperville Police Department for their work on this case as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Marta Prell and Michael Paup for their efforts on this case."

“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,” said Arres. “I’m also grateful for the partnership we have with DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office and all the valuable assistance they provide our department.”

The juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 14, 2024, in front of Judge Porter.   

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.

About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.