Crime & Safety
Men Followed Wheaton Couple Home, Threatened Them At Gunpoint, Stole Car: Police
Carlos Moore, 26, of the 5200 block of Polk, and Philip Smith, 25, have been charged with stealing a Wheaton couple's car at gunpoint.
WHEATON, IL --- Two Chicago men have been charged after a February incident in which they allegedly followed a Wheaton couple home, threatened them at gunpoint, and stole their car, police say. Police have charged Carlos Moore, 26, of the 5200 block of Polk Street and Philip Smith, 25, with aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm and armed robbery with a firearm. They are still looking for a third accomplice.
On February 22, 2017, Moore, Smith, and an accomplice allegedly trailed the couple as they made their way home. The couple pulled into their garage and the accused pulled up behind them, police say. The men were allegedly wearing masks when they got out of their own vehicle and Moore demanded the keys to the couple's car while pointing a gun at the wife. The woman handed over her purse and Smith, Moore, and the unidentified acomplice fled the scene.
A high-speed police chase ensued, but law enforcement lost track of the offenders. The stolen vehicle was found in a parking lot in Chicago. After an investigation, police were able to link the vehicle to Moore and Smith. The accomplice is still at large as the investigation continues.
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DuPage County State's Attorney General Robert Berlin said, "It is alleged Mr. Moore, Mr. Smith and another individual spotted their victims driving home late one night and decided to follow them home to steal their car at gunpoint. Thankfully no one was hurt during this incident, which I am sure was very traumatic for the victims. It is through the outstanding work of the Wheaton Police Department that Mr. Moore and Mr. Smith were identified as suspects in this case and charged. I would like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Jim French for his efforts in preparing a strong case against these two defendants.”
Moore is set to appear in court on October 16. At press time no court date has been set for Smith.
Find out what's happening in Wheatonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Both men are being held on $250,000 bond.
>>Image of Carlos Moore via DuPage County State's Attorney's Office
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