Police Seize Gun After High-Speed Chase In West Chicago: Prosecutors

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A West Chicago man faces felony charges after police say he flashed a gun at a person who was walking their dog and then led officers on a high-speed chase and hit another vehicle.

Carlos Barrera, 20, of the 30W200 block of Brown Street, was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, aggravated unlawful possession of a felon, battery and driving with a suspended license in connection with the April 2 incident.

Police were called to the 800 block of Lincoln Avenue around 11:45 p.m. after a man said Barrera flashed a gun at him while he was walking his dog.

An officer tried to pull Barrera over, but reported that he fled the traffic stop, speeding west down Ann Street. He is accused of going as fast as 100 mph when he hit Roosevelt Road.

According to prosecutors, Barrera also hit a car and a stop sign in an attempt to avoid the pursuing police officer.

Police used a spike strip to disable Barrera's car. He is accused of having a loaded Smith & Wesson 9 mm handgun in his car.

“The allegations that Mr. Barrera fled from police at a high rate of speed while armed with a loaded gun are extremely disturbing,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin aded, “Once again, a defendant who thought they could outrun law enforcement in DuPage County learned the hard way that our officers are extremely well trained to safely apprehend those who flee instead of pulling over. Thankfully, no innocent pedestrians or motorists were injured as a result of Mr. Barrera’s alleged actions."

Barrera is set to appear in court on April 27.