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1 • Thursday, January 19, 2017 - The Independent
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VOL. 17 • NO. 21
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THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021
Bond set for man accused of leading police on high-speed chase in stolen car Defendant, a juvenile parolee, allegedly had a handgun with one bullet in chamber
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Hinsdale Chief of Police Brian King have announced that bond has been set for a Chicago man accused of leading Illinois State Troopers and Hinsdale police officers on a high-speed chase while driving a stolen vehicle. Kevonta Robinson, 19, appeared in bond court where Judge Margaret O’Connell set bond at $1 million with 10 percent to apply. Robinson has been charged with two counts of armed violence with a handgun (Class X felony) one count of aggravated possession of a stolen vehicle (Class 1 felony), one count of possession of a stolen vehicle (Class 2
felony), one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony), one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon (Class 4 felony) and one count of burglary (Class 2 felony). On Sept. 27, at approximately 3:42 p.m., an Illinois State Trooper observed a 2016 Honda CRV traveling westbound on I-290 near Mannheim Road at a high rate of speed driving on the shoulder. While observing the vehicle, the trooper learned that the Honda was allegedly carjacked out of Cook County earlier that day and involved in two armed robberies. In an attempt to stop the vehicle, the trooper activated his emergency lights and sirens. It is alleged that
the driver of the vehicle, later determined to be Robinson, ignored the troopers attempts to pull him over and continued to drive, eventually exiting the expressway system on the southbound I-294 ramp to westbound Ogden Avenue leading into DuPage County. It is further alleged that while driving on Ogden Avenue, the Honda drove into oncoming traffic and disobeyed the red light at Ogden Avenue and Oak Street. It is alleged the Honda traveled southbound on Oak Street and came to a stop near Oak Street and Fuller Road where the defendant exited the vehicle and fled on foot. It is fur-
ther alleged that the defendant ran through a residential area and briefly paused in a resident’s back yard before being apprehended while hiding in a detached residential garage on Oak Street. Through the course of their investigation, authorities recovered a loaded Beretta 9 mm pistol with one bullet in the chamber in the backyard where the defendant had allegedly paused during the foot pursuit. “The allegation that Mr. Robinson led police on a car chase in the middle of the afternoon just blocks from a grammar school is unconscionable,” Berlin said. “What’s even more disturbing, if that’s even possible, is
the allegation that this defendant then ran from the police through a residential neighborhood, again in the middle of the afternoon, with a loaded weapon. The unprecedented levels of violence we have seen recently in DuPage County, such as alleged in this case, will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force and effect of the law.” Robinson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 21 in front of Judge O’Connell for arraignment. If found guilty of the most serious offense, Robinson, who is currently on juvenile parole, faces a penalty of between 15 to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
‘Project Next Generation’ funds granted to Wood Dale, Bensenville libraries Project Next Generation, a program designed to encourage youth mentorship at public libraries, is coming to the Bensenville Public Library and the Wood Dale Public Library District, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) announced Tuesday, Sept. 28. “The Project Next Generation program is a great example of how our public libraries can provide important resources to our communities,” Cullerton said. “The life skills a mentor can provide to at-risk youth will surely help the students who need it most.” Among the grant recipients are the Bensenville Community Public Library, which will receive $36,800 and the Wood Dale Public Library District, which is slated for $8,913. The libraries are set to implement the Project Next Generation program. The program’s mentors work with middle and high school students
to help develop knowledge to use various technologies, achieve success through project-based learning, and increase other life skills like effective communication, goal-setting and conflict resolution. Projects were awarded grants from the Illinois State Library using federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grants totaled more than $530,000 across the state and are awarded to public libraries serving culturally diverse, low-income and underserved populations. “I commend Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White for establishing this program,” Cullerton said. “Making sure our most vulnerable students get the additional help they need will help put them on a better path moving forward.” For more information, visit https:// www.ilsos.gov/departments/library/ grants/png.html.
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Police Reports...........6 Puzzles ������������� 6 & 8 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds............16
SUBMITTED PHOTO Bensenville Independent
Oktoberfest comes to Bridgeway
With help from Bridgeway of Bensenville staff, Village President Frank DeSimone (right) tapped the keg to officially begin the Oktoberfest celebration at Bridgeway of Bensenville, where senior residents enjoyed a beautiful day outside on Friday, Sept. 24. “The pandemic has made it a little more challenging to engage with our senior community in person, but I’m hopeful we will get to see each other more often as we move forward,” DeSimone said. “Bensenville will always be a community that celebrates our seniors.”
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