A DuPage County judge has ordered a Chicago man held without pretrial release after prosecutors say he turned a routine traffic stop into a high-speed chase through Lisle and Downers Grove while armed with a loaded handgun, ending in a crash that took out a traffic signal and landed him in custody.
What the state says
According to prosecutors, Lisle police tried to pull over a vehicle near Route 53 and Warrenville Road on April 13. Instead of stopping, the driver, later identified as 36-year-old Chicago resident Miguel Figueroa, allegedly hit the gas and took off at a high rate of speed.
Authorities say Figueroa drove on the wrong side of the road, pushed past 60 mph in a 45-mph zone, and eventually crashed at Ogden Avenue and Finley Road in Downers Grove. The impact reportedly brought down a streetlight and traffic signal, which fell onto his vehicle.
Officers at the scene said Figueroa showed signs of possible impairment, including bloodshot, glassy eyes, slurred speech, and unsteadiness. Police also say they found a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 on the driver’s-side floorboard near the brake pedal.
Judge Joseph Bugos granted the state’s motion to detain Figueroa pretrial. Prosecutors say he is charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4), aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (Class 2), unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (Class X), along with multiple misdemeanor and petty-traffic counts. He is next due in court on May 11, 2026, before Judge Mia McPherson, according to a press release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
Officials respond
"Fleeing while armed and impaired puts the community at risk," Lisle Chief of Police Michael Rodriguez said in the release, adding praise for his officers’ professionalism during the chaotic stop and crash.
DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin also weighed in, condemning the alleged conduct and commending Lisle police for recovering the weapon and moving the case into the court system quickly, according to the same DuPage County State's Attorney's Office release.
Potential penalties under state law
Some of the charges carry serious prison time under Illinois law. Unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender is filed as a Class X felony, with a standard sentencing range of six to 30 years. A Class 2 felony typically carries a sentencing range of about three to seven years, with longer extended terms possible in certain situations, according to the Illinois Unified Code of Corrections on the Illinois General Assembly website.
Next steps
Figueroa remains in custody ahead of his next court appearance, currently set for May 11, 2026, before Judge Mia McPherson. The complaint consists of charges only and does not constitute proof of guilt. Figueroa is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
