West Chicago Man Charged With Stealing Car At Knifepoint

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A West Chicago man faces felony charges after police say he stole a car at knifepoint Tuesday. Moises Patino-Romero, 25, of the 100 block of Geneva Street was charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with the incident.

According to DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, the driver of the stolen car, a 62-year-old man, was at a store, got into his car and started to leave while on a phone call. Police say Patino-Romero jumped up from the driver's backseat and held a knife in front of his face. The driver got out of the car, fled and called police.

An investigation led police to Patino-Romero, who had been arrested earlier that day in connection with a criminal trespassing. Police say Patino-Romero stole the car about 25 minutes after being released on the criminal trespassing charge, which was later upgraded to home burglary.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "The allegations against Mr. Patino-Romero are outrageous. This type of violent behavior, particularly in consideration of the current stay-at-home order, will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. What I find particularly troubling is the fact that Mr. Patino-Romero was just released from custody less than half an hour before he allegedly committed this crime. Thankfully, the victim in this case was not physically harmed."

Patino-Romero is being held on $300,000 bond. He is set to appear in court again on April 27.