Two juveniles are facing serious charges after a carjacking incident at an Addison movie theater, as per a recent release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. The two teens, one 17 years old from Bensenville, and the other 16 from Willowbrook, have been ordered detained by Judge Chantelle Porter until their next court appearance, facing charges of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm and Armed Robbery with a Firearm, both Class X Felonies.
The unsettling event unfolded on Sunday evening at around 7:41 p.m. when authorities were alerted to an armed confrontation at Marcus Cinema. As described by the victims, the male victim, after parking his white Infinity, was reportedly accosted by three masked individuals brandishing guns including the two juveniles now in custody. The offenders demanded keys and personal belongings before two suspects fled in the stolen vehicle with additional suspects leaving in a grey Dodge Challenger, which had been parked nearby. Although the chase that ensued later led to the arrest of the defendants, the Infinity was found unoccupied minutes later in Maywood.
In a statement obtained by the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, State’s Attorney Robert Berlin condemned the act, asserting that “The brazen, armed carjacking allegedly committed by these two juvenile defendants at a popular movie theater is unconscionable," and that such crimes cast a shadow of fear over communities. Berlin lauded the swift work of the Addison Police Department in the apprehension of the suspects.
Adding to the denouncement of the crime, Addison Police Chief Roy Selvik emphasized the gravity of the offense, saying, "This was a heinous act committed by individuals who have no regard for human life," underscoring that the public's sense of safety, even in mundane activities like going to a movie, is a priority for law enforcement, which will utilize all resources to bring such offenders to justice. Selvik expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort involving multiple departments, including the Elmhurst Police Department, in the successful capture of the suspects.
The next court appearance for both juvenile defendants is scheduled for January 9, 2025, before Judge Demetrios Panoushis.
