Authorities: Men stole car from gas station at gunpoint

Two men have been charged with hijacking a car at gunpoint Wednesday from a Woodridge gas station, authorities said.

Darryl Simmons, 18, of the 7000 block of Woodridge Avenue in Woodridge, and Jehdan Matthews, 19, of the 500 block of Ingraham, Calumet City, each are charged with one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm. Both were being held Thursday in the DuPage County jail.

Authorities say the men were at the Citgo gas station at 2340 75th St. around 1 p.m. Wednesday when Simmons approached a driver at one of the gas pumps, put a gun to the man's side and ordered him to "give me the money."

Simmons then demanded the keys to the man's car, authorities said, and drove away with Matthews.

The men didn't get far, however, before the car broke down in traffic and Darien police officers saw the two try to run away, reports said.

The officers pursued them on foot and captured them after a chase that led through a golf course, authorities said. Police said they recovered the gun they believe was used in the hijacking along with a 30-round extended magazine.

"It is alleged that for the fourth time in just over a month, a resident of DuPage County was the victim of a carjacking at gunpoint," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "In DuPage County, law enforcement has no tolerance for this type of violent behavior. Make no mistake, if you commit a violent crime in DuPage County, you will be arrested, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Thankfully the victim of this alleged hijacking was not injured."

"I am very proud of the quick and coordinated response of our officers and I am especially thankful to the Darien Police Department for their assistance in apprehending the suspects in this case," Woodridge Police Chief Brian Cunningham said.

Simmons, who is being held on $750,000 bail, is next due in DuPage County court on Feb. 21. Matthews, who is being held on $600,000 bail, is next due in court on Feb. 20. Both will be arraigned before Judge Alex McGimpsey.

If found guilty, both men face a possible sentence of between 21 and 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.