DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced today that bond has been set for a man currently on work release accused of leading police on a high-speed chase. Carlos Russian, 36 (d.o.b. 12/5/1986) of the 700 block of Chestnut Street, Lemont, appeared before Judge Margaret O’Connell earlier today who set bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply. Russian is charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony), one count of Driving While License Suspended/Revoked – Third Violation (Class 4 Felony) and multiple petty traffic offenses. On April 28, 2023, Russian was sentenced to one year of conditional discharge and thirty days of work release after being found guilty of Driving with a Revoked License.
On May 24, 2023, at approximately midnight, Russian left the DuPage County Jail per the conditions of his work release sentence. It is alleged that Russian started his motorcycle and left the County complex southbound on County Farm Road to westbound Roosevelt Road at which point a following DuPage County Sheriff Deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens. It is further alleged that instead of pulling over upon noticing the officer’s oscillating lights, Russian immediately accelerated reaching speeds of approximately 85 mph before disobeying a red light and turning southbound on Winfield Road at which time the deputy terminated pursuit. At approximately 10:00 a.m., the same day, at the end of his work release, Russian returned to the DuPage County Jail to continue serving his work release sentence. He was taken into custody and charged at this time.
“The allegations that while on work release from the County Jail, Mr. Russian not only drove his motorcycle, which he was prohibited from doing because his driver’s license is revoked, but then fled from the police at nearly eighty-five-miles-an-hour, are outrageous,” Berlin said. “Once again, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. Fleeing will only make matters worse, as you will be caught and face additional charges. I thank the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for their work and good judgement on this case and for their ongoing efforts in keeping our roadways safe. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Jaclyn McAndrew and Dan Orescanin for their work on this case."
Russian’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 30, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge O’Connell.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
