Man flees Wheaton courthouse, caught by cops

A Carol Stream man who went to court despite having three warrants out for his arrest led sheriff’s deputies on a brief foot chase Thursday before he was taken into custody, authorities said.

Deputies responded to the DuPage County Circuit Court Clerk’s office in the Wheaton courthouse about 9 a.m. after receiving an anonymous tip that the wanted man, Derrick M. Humphrey, was inside the building, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Authorities said Humphrey fled when approached by deputies, who then chased him through a nearby neighborhood before catching him with help from local police.

The sheriff’s office said Humphrey, 20, of the 400 block of Esslen Court, was wanted on three warrants for failure to appear in court on charges of theft, residential trespassing and driving under the influence. As a result of the chase, he was additionally charged with felony obstruction of justice and reckless conduct, authorities said.

Police said Humphrey went to the courthouse Thursday in an attempt to have the initial arrest warrants thrown out. Instead, he was booked into the county jail.