Naperville Man Charged with Armed Carjacking/Kidnapping and Attempt Armed Carjacking at Gunpoint in Two Separate Incidents in Naperville and Warrenville

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres and Warrenville Chief of Police Sam Bonilla announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to detain a Naperville man accused of Armed Carjacking/Aggravated Kidnapping and Attempt Armed Carjacking at gunpoint in two separate incidents this past week. Archie Banks, 63 (d.o.b. 8/26/1962) of the 1600 Block of Westminster Drive, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with two counts of Armed Violence (Class X Felony), one count of Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class 1 Felony) and two counts of Aggravated Battery (Class  3 Felony) in the Naperville case and one count of Aggravated Kidnapping While Armed with a Firearm (Class X Felony) one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm (Class X Felony) and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Restraint (Class 3 Felony) in the Warrenville case.

On August 25, 2025, at approximately 2:07 p.m., Naperville police officers responded to a 911 call at the BP gas station, 1983 Brookdale Drive, regarding a male attacking a female with a weapon. While enroute, an officer observed a male matching the description of the alleged offender, later identified as Banks, walking towards a subdivision. The officer ordered Banks to stop but he continued walking. Officers then detained Banks in the 1500 block of Westminster. After speaking with the victim, officers learned that she was sitting in her vehicle parked at the BP gas station watching a Tik Tok video on her cell phone when Banks, wearing a black knit hat, black sweatshirt, black pants, and a face mask, allegedly walked past her vehicle. It is alleged that several minutes later, Banks, armed with a black handgun, approached the driver’s side door of the victim’s car, opened the door and struck the victim approximately five times on her head. It is further alleged that Banks pointed the gun at the woman and told her “get out b****.” It is alleged the victim screamed and Banks then fled the area on foot. He was arrested a short time later. Upon arrest, Banks was allegedly in possession of a blue plastic bag containing a black and tan coiled rope and a purple coiled rope with Gorilla duct tape and gloves. When retracing Banks’ steps, officers located a loaded 9 mm Taurus handgun in the bushes as well as a knife on the sidewalk on Brookdale Road. Through the course of their investigation, detectives learned of an aggravated vehicular hijacking that occurred in the 27700 block of Diehl Road in Warrenville on August 20, 2025. In this matter, it is alleged that at approximately 9:20 a.m., the female victim was sitting in her vehicle eating a snack while on break from work when an individual, later identified as Banks, approached her vehicle, opened her driver’s side door, took her phone out of her hand and pointed a small black pistol at her head. It is alleged that Banks was holding a blue plastic bag and told the victim “If you say anything I will kill you.” It is further alleged that Banks then entered the woman’s car and at gunpoint, ordered her to drive. It is alleged that at Banks’ direction, the victim drove to Bond Street where Banks ordered her out of the vehicle. It is further alleged that Banks then fled the area in the victim’s car. Detectives with the Warrenville Police Department responded to the area where the incident began and subsequently found the victim’s vehicle in the parking lot parked in a different parking space from where it was initially taken.

“Judge Dieden’s decision to deny pre-trial release for Mr. Banks sends a strong message that in DuPage County, we will not stand for violent criminal activity, as alleged in these cases,” Berlin said. “The allegations, that Mr. Banks kidnapped and carjacked a woman at gunpoint and five days later pistol-whipped and attempted to carjack a second woman at gunpoint, have no place in civilized society and will be met with the full force of the law. This type of brazen behavior, effects not just the involved victims, but also casts a shadow of fear across the entire community. Our residents and law enforcement, however, will not bend to such attacks on our safety. I thank the public for providing pertinent information to responding officers. I commend the Naperville Police Department for their heads-up work in apprehending the defendant in this case and for their thorough investigation, as well as the Warrenville Police Department for their assistance. The cooperative efforts between our agencies demonstrates DuPage County law enforcement’s commitment to public safety. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sean Kinsella, Michael Pingaj and Anna Derkacz for their efforts in securing charges against this defendant.”

“Violent crime is not a regular occurrence in our town, so I understand how concerning it is when something like this happens. However, I’m extremely impressed by the actions of the bystanders who did not hesitate to alert us and followed this suspect at a distance until our officers arrived. They played a key role in our ability to immediately hold this violent individual accountable for his actions and helped send a message that Naperville’s residents and law enforcement will not tolerate crime like this in our community,” Arres said. “I also want to recognize our officers for their outstanding response and teamwork in bringing this dangerous situation under control and later working so diligently to secure these charges. Lastly, I want to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their collaboration and guidance with this case.”      

“No person should feel unsafe within our community, and the Warrenville Police Department will do everything in its power to criminally charge those who violate that feeling of safety and security,” Bonilla said. “We are grateful for the collaboration and partnerships we share with the surrounding agencies and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, and we are glad that those collaborative efforts led to the arrest and charges against Banks. The Warrenville Police Department would like to thank the Naperville Police Department for their investigative assistance with the incidents occurring in Warrenville and Naperville, and State's Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their support and the filing of appropriate charges.”    

Banks’ next court appearance is scheduled for September 22, 2025, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.           

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.   

Archie Banks

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.