Three men accused of armed robbery of Downers Grove victim denied pretrial release: officials

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL. – Three men accused of robbing a Downers Grove man at gunpoint have been denied pretrial release.

According to DuPage County State’s Attorney Javari Williams, 18; Tremaine Nelson, 18; and Tyray Hemphill, 22, appeared in court Sunday morning on the following charges, all Class X felonies:

• One count of armed robbery with a gun
• One count of aggravated vehicle hijacking with a firearm
• One count of aggravated vehicle hijacking – victim over 60 years old

Their charges stem from an incident that occurred at 6:50 p.m. on September 27 at 36th and Fairview Avenue in the unincorporated Downers Grove neighborhood.

Authorities received a report of an armed robbery of a motor vehicle. After speaking with the victim, a man in his 60s, police learned the suspect’s vehicle was a black 2006 Dodge Charger.

A short time later, Downers Grove police recovered the victim’s stolen vehicle, a silver 2006 Chrysler 300 SRT, along with the Dodge Charger.

While pursuing the two vehicles, police said the Charger crashed on Highway 83 in Hinsdale. Four people inside the Charger got out and began walking north along the shoulder of Highway 83.

A Hinsdale officer approached the group and three of them climbed a wooden fence and fled. The fourth person claimed to have been robbed and evaded law enforcement, authorities said.

The three suspects were taken into custody after a brief search.

Nelson was later found in a window in the 500 block of N. Quincy Avenue in Hinsdale, authorities said. Officers discovered a loaded .40 caliber Glock 23 semi-automatic handgun with a round chambered in the same window.

Williams and Hemphill were found on the same property, along with two handguns, the state’s attorney added.

Further investigation revealed that the victim had arranged to sell his car to an individual named “Reyes” on the OfferUp platform. Reyes and the victim met at the victim’s home for a test drive, which escalated into a robbery.

After the test drive, authorities said Reyes convinced the victim to walk down the street to meet a friend with a tow truck. As they walked, the victim turned to return to his car.

The suspects, who had stopped in the Charger, got out and confronted the victim with firearms, according to the state’s attorney. They pointed guns at the victim’s head, back and groin while searching his pockets, stealing his wallet, car keys, cellphone, watch and a gold chain, authorities said .

The suspects allegedly pushed the victim to the ground, ordered him not to move and fled at high speed in his car and the Charger.

Authorities discovered the Charger had been reported stolen in Chicago on September 23.

“The allegations that Javari Williams, Tremain Nelson and Tyray Hemphill violently stole an innocent man’s car, pointed three guns at him, and attempted to hide in a residential neighborhood are chilling,” Berlin said. “We are all grateful that the victim in this case was not physically harmed. The quick arrest of the defendants in this case demonstrates DuPage County law enforcement’s commitment to public safety and their desire to working together to ensure the safety and security of all our residents I commend Sheriff Mendrick and his office as well as the Downers Grove and Hinsdale Police Departments for their outstanding efforts leading to the arrest of the defendants in this case. I also thank Assistant District Attorneys Michael Pingaj and Philip Ungar for their efforts to secure charges against the men allegedly responsible for this violent robbery.”

The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office at (630) 407-2400.

The three suspects are expected back in court on October 28 for their arraignment.