Three charged in armed carjacking near Downers Grove

Three men accused of carjacking a Downers Grove man at gunpoint before leading police on a chase Friday night were ordered held in custody Sunday by a DuPage County judge.

Javari Williams, 18, of the 15200 block of Turlington Avenue, Harvey; Tremaine Nelson, 18, of the 3400 block of Rhode Island Court, Gary, Indiana; and Tyray Hemphill, 22, of the 6400 block of South Oakley, Chicago, each face one count of armed robbery with a firearm and two counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking.

All three are scheduled return to court Oct. 28 on the Class X felony charges.

Authorities said DuPage County sheriff’s deputies were called to the area of 36th Street and Fairview Avenue near Downers Grove for a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred.

They met with the Downers Grove man, who reported he had been robbed at gunpoint and the offenders had fled in his vehicle, a 2006 silver Chrysler 300 SRT, along with a black 2006 Dodge Charger.

Downers Grove police located both vehicles and began a pursuit, authorities said. The Charger crashed along Route 83 in Hinsdale, and four people in the vehicle exited and began walking north on the shoulder, authorities said.

When they were spotted by a Hinsdale police officer, the three defendants climbed over a wooden fence and fled, according to DuPage County prosecutors. A fourth claimed that he was the victim of a robbery and ultimately escaped authorities, officials said.

After sheriff’s deputies, assisted by other law enforcement agencies, established a perimeter, the three defendants were located in the 500 block of North Quincy Avenue in Hinsdale with loaded handguns, authorities said.

An investigation revealed that the victim had arranged with an individual named “Reyes” to sell his car, prosecutors said. They met at the victim’s home and went for a test drive, after which “Reyes” convinced the victim to walk down the street to meet a friend that had a tow truck, authorities said.

A short time later, authorities allege, the defendants pulled up in the Charger, pointed guns at the victim’s head, back and groin, stole several of his personal items and then took his vehicle.

Authorities said they later learned that the Charger was reported stolen Sept. 23 in Chicago.

“We are all thankful that the victim in this case was not physically harmed,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said Sunday. “The quick apprehension of the defendants in this case demonstrates DuPage County law enforcement’s commitment to public safety and willingness to work together to ensure the safety and security of all our residents.”