Court Grant’s State’s Motion to Detain Second Man Charged with Hijacking Vehicle at Gunpoint/Leading Police on High-Speed Chase in Wheaton

“IN DUPAGE COUNTY, WE WILL NOT TOLERATE VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THOSE ACCUSED OF SUCH,” BERLIN SAID. “RANDOM, VIOLENT CRIMES, SUCH AS ALLEGED IN THIS CASE, CAN SHAKE A COMMUNITY TO ITS CORE LEAVING RESIDENTS FEELING VULNERABLE AND AFRAID. LIVING UNDER A CLOUD OF FEAR IS NO WAY TO LIVE AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT’S CONTINUED EFFORTS IN THIS CASE WILL RESULT IN CHARGES AGAINST ALL THOSE INVOLVED.

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police P.J. Youker announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for the second of three men accused of carjacking a man at gunpoint and then leading police on a high-speed chase. Daveon Givens, 24 (d.o.b. 4/21/2002) of the 1200 block of Johnson Drive, Buffalo Grove, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class X Felony) one count of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).

On July 24, 2026, at approximately 12:53 a.m., Wheaton police officers responded to a call of an aggravated vehicle hijacking in the 1000 block of E. Willow Avenue, that had allegedly just occurred. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that at approximately 12:45 a.m., the victim had just pulled into his driveway when he heard a knock on his car window and observed an individual, wearing a black ski mask and a black zip-up hoodie, holding a black handgun. It is alleged that the individual told the victim to “get out of the car, get out of the car” and after the victim complied, the individual told the victim to “get on the ground and don’t do anything stupid.” It is alleged that another individual, also wearing a ski mask and dark clothing, entered the victim’s vehicle, a black 2020 Acura MDX, and pulled it out of the driveway. It is further alleged that the other individual then got into a grey Nissan Sentra that the offenders arrived in. A short time later, an officer with the Glen Ellyn Police Department allegedly observed the Acura and Nissan traveling eastbound on Roosevelt Road from Sunset Avenue at which time he activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicles. It is alleged that both vehicles accelerated away from the officer and reached speeds of approximately 100 mph on Roosevelt Road where the posted speed limit is thirty-five mph. The pursuit ended when the Nissan crashed on a curb after being spike stripped, at which time two occupants fled the vehicle on foot. With the assistance of an Illinois State Police plane, both suspects were observed running along the tracks east of 2000 Beach Street and into a nearby residential neighborhood where DuPage County sheriff’s deputies apprehended Givens’ co-defendant, Andrew Strong, 25 (d.o.b. 5/15/2001) of the 100 block of N. Laramie Avenue, Chicago. Inside the Nissan, authorities found a black Springfield handgun on the passenger seat. On July 25, 2026, while conducting surveillance on Givens’ residence, Wheaton detectives observed Givens outside the residence at which time Givens allegedly fled on foot. He was taken into custody a short time later following a brief foot pursuit. The Acura has since been recovered.

“In DuPage County, we will not tolerate violent criminal activity, and we will continue to pursue those accused of such,” Berlin said. “Random, violent crimes, such as alleged in this case, can shake a community to its core leaving residents feeling vulnerable and afraid. Living under a cloud of fear is no way to live and I am confident that law enforcement’s continued efforts in this case will result in charges against all those involved. Once again, I thank the Wheaton Police Department for their continued efforts in this case and for their commitment to public safety. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Sandi Tanoue and Kelsey Kerr for their efforts in securing charges against Mr. Givens.”

“Just like his co-defendant found out, Mr. Givens learned that such brazen crimes will be met with the full resources of the Wheaton Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners,” Chief Youker said. “We have no tolerance for individuals who want to come into our community to commit violent crimes, and our detectives and law enforcement partners will continue working until everyone involved in this case is held accountable. Again, I would like to thank State’s Attorney Robert Berlin’s Office for their assistance along with all assisting law enforcement agencies in DuPage County who hold the line.”

Givens’ next court appearance is scheduled for August 24, 2026, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin. Strong’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 24, 2026, in front of Judge Guerin. The investigation into the matter continues and anyone with information is asked to call the Wheaton Police Department.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

###