Juvenile held in Downers Grove carjacking

A juvenile charged with hijacking a woman's car at gunpoint late last month in Downers Grove will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance, DuPage County Judge Brian Jacobs ordered Monday.

The juvenile, who was on probation for robbery, has been charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking, unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

DuPage prosecutors said they intend to file a motion to transfer the case to adult court.

Authorities say Downers Grove police responded Nov. 30 to a call on Prairie Avenue regarding a carjacking. The victim told them she was sitting in the driver's seat and her daughter was in the passenger seat when the masked suspect knocked on the window, displayed a handgun and ordered the woman to "give me the car."

The victim threw the car keys to the suspect as she and her daughter got out of the vehicle. The suspect then drove away.

The juvenile was taken into custody on Dec. 13 as Downers Grove police were investigating a second carjacking in the area in which authorities say the juvenile also was involved. The vehicles in that case have been recovered.

"Judge Jacobs' order to detain this juvenile sends the message that, in DuPage County, if you commit the type of violent crime alleged in this case you will be caught, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and if found guilty, you will spend a significant amount of time behind bars," DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement.

If the juvenile is prosecuted as an adult and found guilty, he faces a minimum penalty of up to 21 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The juvenile's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 3.