An Aurora man is currently held without bail after leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car. According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney's Office, Charles Walker, 20, is awaiting trial with charges including a Class 2 felony for Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, and additional offenses.
The incident occurred in the early morning of January 14, when a West Chicago police officer attempted to pull over a 2016 Kia Rio for driving at high speeds without headlights or taillights. Walker is alleged to have instead chosen to quickly accelerate, pushing the pursuit to speeds nearing 107 mph. After crossing into another jurisdiction, the chase was picked up by multiple police departments and ended after officers deployed a spike strip to disable the vehicle.
"As evidenced by the multiple agencies involved in this case, law enforcement throughout DuPage County is committed to keeping our streets safe for all motorists," State's Attorney Robert Berlin was quoted in the statement. He further emphasized that attempting to outrun the police is a futile endeavor.
The ensuing foot chase resulted in Walker and two juveniles being apprehended. While the minors have been released pending further investigation, Walker faced his first court appearance yesterday. Voicing his appreciation, West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury thanked all the officers for the safe apprehension of the suspect and expressed gratitude towards the State's Attorney and his team for their legal support.
Walker's next court appearance is set for February 9, 2026, where Judge Brian Telander will preside over the proceedings. Despite the charges, the public is reminded that these allegations should not be considered proof of Walker's guilt, as he maintains his right to a fair trial where the burden rests with the government to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
