At the West Chicago Voice, our commitment to our readers extends to keeping them informed about local crime activity, encompassing DUI and drug offenses, as well as felonies filed by the West Chicago Police or DuPage County Sheriff’s Office (in unincorporated West Chicago). It’s essential to remember that those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. These incidents took place within the city limits of West Chicago (WCPD) or within unincorporated West Chicago (DPCSO).
While this column may not encompass every arrest due to various factors, we prioritize sharing arrest reports that we believe the public should be aware of, particularly those of significant concern. As an independent news outlet, we diligently strive to shed light on issues affecting the safety and well-being of our community. We proudly stand in solidarity with the dedicated men and women of the West Chicago Police Department, DuPage County Sheriff’s Department, and law enforcement agencies everywhere.
All the information we provide is derived from public records, with police reports accessible through the Freedom of Information Act.
DUI Arrests:
Driver Arrested for DUI After Failing to Yield to Police in West Chicago
A 34-year-old West Chicago man is facing multiple charges after officers observed him swerving between lanes while traveling westbound on Illinois Route 59 near National Street around 12:15 a.m. on March 31, 2025.
According to the police report, the driver of a brown Honda was seen drifting back and forth across the center lane on multiple occasions. As the vehicle neared James Avenue, officers activated emergency lights and began issuing commands to stop. The driver instead made a wide turn onto Lee Road and continued driving, disregarding the officers’ attempts to initiate a stop.
After approximately 15 seconds of noncompliance, the driver eventually brought the vehicle to a full stop, reversing direction before pulling over. Officers approached the vehicle and observed signs of impairment, including slurred speech, a strong odor of alcohol, and red, glassy eyes. Due to the driver’s limited English proficiency, a Spanish-speaking officer assisted with communication.
The driver reportedly admitted to consuming five beers around 6:00 p.m. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) were administered, and the driver showed signs of impairment including swaying during the eye test and difficulty performing the walk-and-turn and one-leg stand tests.
Initially, the driver struggled to complete a breath test, prompting officers to use a “quick catch” function. A final breath sample registered a blood alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 0.205 — more than twice the legal limit.
The individual was placed under arrest and transported to the West Chicago Police Department, where they were photographed, fingerprinted, and charged with two counts of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Additional citations include improper lane usage, improper turn, and failure to yield to emergency vehicles.
The driver was released on a recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 9, 2025.
Erratic Driving on Route 38 Leads to DUI Arrest
Just before midnight on March 29, West Chicago police observed a brown Buick Encore weaving across both lanes on westbound Route 38 near Browning Way. As the vehicle neared Bishop Street, officers saw it straddling the center line and beginning a turn into the eastbound lanes. It ultimately came to a stop at the intersection of Route 38 and Joliet Street, approximately 25 seconds after emergency lights were activated.
Upon approach, officers noted two open Miller Lite cans in the center console and detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle. The driver, a 30-year-old Elgin woman, admitted she had been drinking and appeared anxious, fidgeting with cards and hesitating during conversation. She claimed she hadn’t consumed alcohol that night but contradicted herself, later admitting to drinking earlier and referencing an issue with her left eye that she said was “not working.”
Due to visible signs of impairment, the woman was asked to complete field sobriety tests. She showed six clues of impairment during the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, seven clues during the walk-and-turn test, and two during the one-leg stand. She initially provided a breath sample of 0.120 BrAC and later registered 0.157 BrAC at the police station.
Three open Miller Lite cans were located in the vehicle, which was towed from the scene. The woman was formally charged with:
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Two counts of DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol)
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Improper Lane Usage
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Illegal Transportation or Possession of Alcohol by Driver
She was fingerprinted, photographed, and released on a recognizance bond with a May 9, 2025, court date. She declined to sign her recognizance paperwork. Officers later transported her and her stepbrother back to a residence in Elgin without incident.
Aurora Man Charged with DUI After Reckless Driving on Route 59
At approximately 2:16 a.m. on April 5, West Chicago police initiated a traffic stop after observing a silver Volkswagen Passat traveling at 65 MPH in a posted 45 MPH zone along southbound IL Route 59. Officers reported the vehicle repeatedly crossed the center lane boundary and failed to slow down, continuing recklessly over the bridge just north of Conde Street.
Once stopped at Route 59 and Pomeroy Street, officers made contact with the 39-year-old driver, a resident of Aurora. Police detected a strong odor of alcohol, and noted the man’s eyes were bloodshot and his speech slurred. A language barrier required the use of a translation line to complete communication during the stop.
The driver admitted to consuming two beers earlier that night. He consented to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and demonstrated signs of impairment, including swaying and difficulty with coordination. He provided a breath sample with a reported BrAC of 0.160.
The man was charged with two counts of DUI, including driving over the statutory limit (15-20), and improper lane usage. He was released on a recognizance bond with a May 9, 2025, court date and was later picked up by a friend.
Traffic Stop Leads to DUI, Drug Possession, and Multiple Citations
Shortly before midnight on April 6, a West Chicago officer observed a beige Buick sedan driving erratically on southbound Route 59 near Pine Street. The vehicle made multiple lane changes and turns without signaling before bouncing over a curb at high speed into the Rosati’s strip mall lot and double parking. Officers initiated a traffic stop and approached the driver, a 28-year-old male.
The man displayed visible signs of impairment, including bloodshot and glassy eyes, droopy eyelids, and slurred speech. He initially stated he was driving to his girlfriend’s house and had pulled into the lot to send a text. He denied drinking and taking any substances. Officers administered field sobriety tests, which he failed. The driver also refused a preliminary breath test (PBT).
Upon being taken into custody, a search of the vehicle revealed:
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Two empty Fireball whisky bottles
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A sealed Ziploc bag containing 11 blue pills stamped “R 3060,” which field-tested positive for amphetamines
He was transported to the police department where a breath sample later registered a 0.083 BrAC. After consultation with the State’s Attorney’s Office, a felony charge for possession of a controlled substance was approved.
The driver was charged with:
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Possession of Controlled Substance (Class 4 felony – amphetamines)
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DUI – Under the Influence of Alcohol
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DUI – Alcohol Concentration in Blood or Breath 0.08 or More
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Illegal Transportation or Possession of Alcoholic Liquor by Driver
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Failure to Signal When Required
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Driving with Expired License Plates
He was issued six total citations, given a court date, and released to a waiting Uber. The blue pills were entered into evidence.
DUI Arrest Outside Arbor Liquors May Be Upgraded to Aggravated Charge
On April 6 around 6:43 p.m., West Chicago officers observed a man preparing to urinate next to a silver Audi S5 in the parking lot of Arbor Liquors on Arbor Avenue. The man re-entered his vehicle before officers approached. Upon contact, officers noted signs of alcohol impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol.
The vehicle was double-parked and positioned across a yellow line. The man initially claimed he hadn’t been drinking, later stating he’d had “like two beers.” He was nervous and repeatedly attempted to walk away. When asked if he was okay to drive, he shook his head no but gave an unintelligible response.
After refusing field sobriety tests and a preliminary breath test (PBT), officers placed him under arrest for DUI. At the police station, records revealed it was his fifth DUI-related arrest, and his license had been repeatedly suspended or revoked. He again refused a breath sample, prompting officers to obtain a search warrant for a blood draw.
A phlebotomist collected the sample around 8:15 p.m. after the warrant was approved by a judge. The Audi was seized under Article 36 and a DUI kit was submitted into evidence. The suspect was fingerprinted, photographed, and released on a recognizance bond with a May 9 court date.
Pending the blood results, his charge of DUI is expected to be upgraded to Aggravated DUI – 3rd Violation
Driver Found Asleep in Running Vehicle Charged With DUI
At approximately 3:21 a.m. on April 18, West Chicago officers on patrol discovered a man unconscious in a running Toyota Prius behind a business on Main Street. Vomit was observed both inside the vehicle and on the ground outside the driver’s door. Officers requested backup and proceeded to wake the driver.
Upon exiting the vehicle, the individual appeared confused, had slurred speech, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and smelled strongly of alcohol. He was visibly unsteady, leaned on a squad car for support, and initially stated he had eaten too much food. He later admitted to consuming several beers at a local restaurant.
Field sobriety tests showed multiple signs of impairment, and a preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.134. A subsequent breath sample yielded a result of 0.148 BrAC. The driver was taken into custody and charged with DUI and operating a vehicle with a BAC above 0.08. He was later released and transported home.
DUI Stop at Forest and Parkside Leads to Multiple Charges
On April 19 at approximately 12:12 a.m., West Chicago police stopped a white Chevrolet panel van near Forest Avenue and Parkside after observing erratic driving. The vehicle had been flagged by DU-COMM as a “make-your-own-case” (MYOC) vehicle and was seen veering into oncoming lanes before officers initiated a stop.
The driver, who did not speak English, appeared confused and showed clear signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. Officers used translation services to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), during which the driver admitted to drinking and struggled to follow instructions. He also attempted to deceive officers by not providing a full breath sample on the first two attempts.
Ultimately, a breath test showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.238 BrAC. An open, partially consumed bottle of Modelo beer was discovered inside the vehicle, with visible spillage near the rear door.
The driver was charged with:
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DUI – Under the Influence of Alcohol
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DUI – Alcohol Concentration in Blood or Breath 0.08 or More
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Improper Lane Usage
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Illegal Transportation or Possession of Alcoholic Liquor by Driver in a Motor Vehicle
The vehicle was towed and the driver was processed at the police department before being released with court information and citations.
Aggravated DUI Stop on Route 38 Results in Multiple Charges and Jail Transport
In the early morning hours of April 6, West Chicago police initiated a traffic stop on a white Scion TC that was observed weaving over multiple lane lines on Route 38 near Pearl Road. The vehicle crossed over both white and yellow lines before officers conducted a stop in the Midas parking lot just west of Joliet Street.
The driver showed immediate signs of impairment, including bloodshot, glassy eyes and the odor of alcohol. Officers also noticed a foil-covered bottle cap commonly associated with Modelo beer. The driver admitted to consuming two beers and stated he was driving home from work in St. Charles. A language line interpreter was used during the encounter due to the driver’s limited English proficiency.
Further investigation revealed the driver had no valid driver’s license and was operating on a suspended license due to a prior DUI. Officers conducted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which indicated significant impairment. The driver initially tried to deceive officers by not properly blowing into the breathalyzer, but ultimately provided a valid breath sample showing a 0.140 BrAC.
A search of the vehicle revealed no contraband, but open alcohol was discovered inside. The driver was transported to the West Chicago Police Department and later to DuPage County Jail.
He faces the following charges:
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Aggravated DUI – No Driver’s License / Permit / Judicial Driving Permit / Monitoring
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DUI – Under the Influence of Alcohol
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DUI – Alcohol Concentration in Blood or Breath 0.08 or More
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Driving While License is Suspended or Revoked
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Improper Lane Usage
The vehicle was seized under Article 36, and the driver was booked and held for prosecution. He was issued multiple citations and provided court information upon processing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance:
White Powdery Substance Leads to Arrests After Traffic Stop
On April 13 at approximately 3:04 a.m., West Chicago police officers on patrol observed a white Mercedes-Benz sedan parked with its headlights on in front of a closed business near 1225 IL Route 38. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers noted an open can of beer in the front cup holder and a white powdery substance on the passenger’s pants and the dashboard.
During further investigation, a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery residue was found in the driver’s side door pocket. Officers also noticed white powder inside the passenger’s nostrils. Both occupants complied with commands to exit the vehicle.
After questioning, one of the individuals admitted there was cocaine in the vehicle, and officers confirmed the contents of the baggie tested positive for cocaine. Both individuals were taken into custody and transported without incident to the West Chicago Police Department. The vehicle was later towed. Court dates are pending in DuPage County.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Traffic Stop for Headlight Violation Leads to Drug Paraphernalia Discovery
On April 16 at approximately 8:25 p.m., West Chicago police initiated a traffic stop near 29W321 Blair Street after observing a vehicle with only one working headlight. Upon approach, the front passenger exited the vehicle and began speaking with officers but was ordered back inside.
As officers continued their investigation, the passenger was seen reaching toward the center console area. When asked to exit the vehicle, the individual threw a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine onto the ground. Officers recovered the pipe, which later tested positive for methamphetamine residue during a field test.
A probable cause search of the vehicle yielded no additional findings. Both occupants were released at the scene, and a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was issued. The evidence was secured and entered into the police department’s system.
