Man Pleads Guilty To 2017 Carjacking In Wheaton

WHEATON, IL -- A Chicago man has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking a Wheaton couple in 2017. Police say Phillip Smith, 28, was the second man to plead guilty in the case. Carlos Moore, 28, of Chicago pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery with a firearm in May 2019 and was sentenced to 21 years.

Police say that on Feb. 22, 2017, Moore, Smith and an unidentified third suspect followed a Wheaton couple to their home. Once there, they got out wearing masks and holding a gun as they demanded the keys to the couple's vehicle, police say.

The woman then handed Moore her purse and he, Smith and the other suspect stole the car. Police later spotted the stolen car, but lost it after a high-speed chase ensued.

The car was eventually found in a parking lot in Chicago.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "While we are very grateful that no one was injured that evening, I’m sure the entire incident was very traumatic for the victims. The sentences handed down to Mr. Smith and Mr. Moore will send the message to any would-be carjackers that this type of violent crime will not be tolerated in DuPage County."

Moore and Smith must serve 50 percent of their sentences before they become eligible for parole.