Prosecutors: Suspect pointed rifle at man, led police on high-speed chase

A Schiller Park man suspected of pointing a gun at another man before leading police on a high-speed chase was ordered held in custody Sunday while awaiting trial.

Carlos Rivera, 44, of the 10000 block of Irving Park Road, is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, and single counts of aggravated driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, speeding more than 35 mph over the limit and aggravated assault on public property, DuPage County prosecutors said.

Authorities said a Bensenville police officer attempted to pull over Rivera’s vehicle at 11:35 p.m. Friday near Irving Park and York roads, based on information the driver had pointed a rifle at another man at a gas station.

Instead of pulling over, authorities said, Rivera drove away at speeds reaching approximately 88 mph, running multiple red lights along the way, prosecutors said

He later drove into oncoming traffic near Cumberland and Bryn Mawr avenues on the Northwest side of Chicago, and eventually turned into an alley and fled on foot, officials said. He was arrested in a backyard in the 8300 block of West Catherine Avenue in Chicago, prosecutors said

During the pursuit, Rivera threw an Airsoft gun out the window of his vehicle on eastbound I-90 near the I-294 exit, authorities said.

“This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and puts not only the driver at risk, but also endangers the police officers involved and the motoring public,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release. “We are all thankful that no one was injured as a result of Mr. Rivera’s alleged actions.”

Rivera is scheduled to return to court Dec. 9 before DuPage County Judge Brian Telander.