Wheaton Kidnapping: Hoffman Estates Man Arrested

WHEATON, IL — After two years of investigation, a Hoffman Estate man has been arrested in connection with the 2022 kidnapping of a 5-year-old that took place in Wheaton.

Balint Kiss, 34, of the 1400 block of Caldwell Lane, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping and aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle in connection with the April 18, 2022, incident.

Police say that around 9:30 a.m., Kiss entered and drove off in a car that had a 5-year-old child inside and had been left running at the UPS store at 20 Danada Square West. The child's parent had been inside the store, according to police.

The child eventually got out of the car safely and was brought back to the UPS store.

Police spotted the stolen car heading west on Butterfield Road, but Kiss is accused of speeding up and eluding officers.

An arrest warrant was issued on March 25, 2024, when Kiss was in custody in the Illinois Department of Corrections on unrelated charges. Kiss appeared in court in DuPage County, June 6, where he pleaded guilty to the charges.

“First and foremost, we are so thankful that the child in this situation was brought to safety quickly,” Wheaton Police Chief Princeton Youker said in a statement.

“Anyone who commits a dangerous crime like this in Wheaton needs to know that we will investigate extensively, and they will be brought to justice."

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin added, "We are all thankful that the young child was physically unharmed and safely reunited with her parent following what I’m sure was a very traumatic experience.”