Man Shot Gun Into Air, Fled Cops In Glendale Heights: Police

WHEATON, IL — Police say a Glendale Heights man fired a gun into the air and led officers on a high-speed chase following a domestic incident early Monday.

Elexei Garcia, 34, of the 100 block of Wrightwood Avenue, has been charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer in connection with the incident.

Police were called to the 1700 block of Gilberto Street around 12:15 a.m. for a report of a domestic incident. Prosecutors say Garcia and his wife had been arguing and that she tried to leave in her car, but he used his car to block her exit.

Police say Garcia's wife got out of her vehicle and he followed her and fired a gun into the air while he was 15 to 20 feet from her.

Garcia is accused of fleeing the scene and ignoring police who tried to stop his car near Gilberto Street and Altgeld Avenue. Police say Garcia sped up to 88 mph in a 35 mph zone and drove onto the parkway as he fled. He was taken into custody around 12:40 a.m. and is being held at DuPage County Jail.

“Recklessly firing a gun into the air, as alleged in this case, in a residential neighborhood potentially putting hundreds of people at risk, will not be tolerated in DuPage County,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, “Equally upsetting are the allegations that Mr. Garcia reached speeds approaching ninety m.p.h. in a residential neighborhood and even drove on a parkway at one point in an attempt to avoid capture. This type of behavior that puts the public at risk will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Thankfully, no innocent motorists or bystanders were injured or worse as a result of Mr. Garcia’s alleged actions. I urge everyone, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over and cooperate with the police. If you attempt to flee you will be caught and make matters worse for yourself."

Garcia is set to appear in court Aug. 19.