Carjacker Beat 69-Year-Old Man, Tried To Break Into Multiple Cars At Aurora Hotel: DuPage State's Attorney

AURORA, IL — An Aurora man will remain in jail ahead of his trial on allegations he carjacked and beat a 69-year-old man Tuesday at an Aurora hotel, authorities said. During a wild sequence of events, police say he also damaged or attempted to get into several other vehicles.

Grant Chandler, 26, was charged with eight felonies after the "terrifying ordeal" Tuesday morning at Quality Inn, 4005 Gabrielle Lane. At the time of the offense, he was on probation for a 2023 conviction for dealing cocaine.

Aurora police were called to the hotel at about 7:30 a.m. for a report of a disturbance, according to the joint news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office and Aurora Police Department. Prosecutors say officers learned that the victim was walking from the hotel to his truck, which he had started remotely, when Chandler approached him and asked for a ride.

The victim declined and began walking back to the hotel to alert staff, while police say Chandler got into a sedan parked near the entrance of the hotel. While the victim was in the hotel, police said Chandler got out of the sedan, approached a different vehicle, a nearby Dodge Durango that was parked and had been remotely started, and attempted to open the driver's side door. Chandler went back to the sedan, retrieved an ice scraper and began clearing ice from the Durango's windshield, officials said.

Chandler then picked up a parking sign from behind the Durango and began repeatedly striking the driver's side door, breaking off the side mirror, police allege. When the owner of the Durango and another hotel patron confronted Chandler, he returned to the 69-year-old victim's still-running truck and got in the driver's seat. The victim attempted to pull Chandler from his truck, but he got out and punched the victim multiple times in the head, officials said.

Police said Chandler attempted to drive the truck with the driver's side door open as the victim continued to attempt to pull Chandler out of the truck. Chandler eventually got out of the truck, ran back to the Durango and attempted to get it in, but found it locked, authorities said. He returned to the victim's truck, struggled with the owner again, and then fled.

"Chandler ran in front of a passing vehicle, causing the vehicle to stop, reached into the front window and grabbed the driver’s shirt at which time the driver drove away," the release details. "It is alleged that while fleeing, Chandler also opened the door of a garbage truck collecting trash, grabbed the hood of the worker's jacket and attempted to enter the truck. It is further alleged that the driver kicked Chandler at which time he exited the truck."

Police found Chandler at a nearby apartment complex and, following a brief struggle, took him into custody.

"The carjacking and beating of an innocent man and subsequent attempted carjacking of another, as alleged in this case, will not be tolerated in DuPage County," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "This type of violent behavior turned a routine morning into a terrifying ordeal for several innocent people, shattering their sense of safety and leaving an entire community on edge."

Chandler faces the following felony charges:

• One count of aggravated vehicular hijacking
• One count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle
• One count of attempted vehicular hijacking
• Two counts of aggravated battery
• One count of attempted possession of a stolen motor vehicle
• One count of attempted burglary
• One count of aggravated battery in a public place
• One count of armed robbery with a firearm

"Violent crimes like this strike at the sense of safety people deserve in their own community," Police Chief Matt Thomas said in a statement. "We are grateful the victim was not more seriously injured, and our thoughts are with him as he recovers from this ordeal. Our officers responded quickly and took decisive action to stop a dangerous situation and hold the suspect accountable."

Chandler's next court date is scheduled for Feb. 17 in front of Judge Mia McPherson.