Lemont Man Leads Police On High-Speed Chase, Reaching 85 MPH: Cops

LEMONT, IL — A 36-year-old Lemont man faces criminal charges after prosecutors say he led police on a high-speed chase while on a work release program.

Carlos Russian was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding of a police officer on Thursday, one day after police said that Russian reached speeds of 85 mph on his motorcycle after police officers attempted to stop him, the DuPage County State’s Attorney said. Russian was leaving a work release assignment around midnight on Wednesday when a DuPage County Sheriff’s deputy turned on his emergency lights.

Rather than pulling over, prosecutors said that Russian immediately accelerated and reached speeds of 85 mph before running a red light, officials said. At 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 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, officials said. In addition to the fleeing and eluding charges, Russian was charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license and was cited for multiple traffic violations.

“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,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert 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 judgment on this case and for their ongoing efforts in keeping our roadways safe.”

Russian is due back in court on May 30. The judge in Thursday’s hearing set bond at $100,000 with 10 percent to apply.