Aurora Man Faces Slew Of Charges After Police Chase: Cops

AURORA, IL — A 27-year-old Aurora man was charged Sunday with a slew of gun and drug-related charges, including armed violence, being an armed habitual criminal, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, manufacture of delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and aggravated fleeing and eluding. These charges stem from an incident that began around 5:45 p.m. Dec. 9.

Investigators said they spotted Derrick Givens, of the 500 block of Iowa Avenue, driving a Saturn Ion they knew to be involved in past drug sales in the 400 block of Wilder Street.

According to a release from Aurora police, investigators followed the vehicle and pulled Givens over for a traffic violation at Elmwood Drive and Indian Trail. There, they said they discovered two other Aurora men, ages 22 and 40, were with Givens, and that Givens was on parole. Officials ordered him to turn off the vehicle but Givens hit the accelerator instead, taking off.

Investigators chased Givens until he lost control of his car and hit a tree, causing the car to roll and come to a rest on the driver's side doors, police said. An ambulance arrived at the 800 block of Upper Brandon Drive, and all three men were pulled from the car. Officials discovered heroin where Givens had been sitting, and a 9mm handgun just up the street on Durham Drive that was thrown out of the car during the pursuit.

Crack cocaine was also found upon further investigation, along with items typically used to package narcotics, police said.

The 40-year-old passenger was treated at an Aurora hospital for injuries and released without being criminally charged. His 22-year-old companion had a warrant out for retail theft from Batavia. He, too, was released without being charged outside of that warrant.

In addition to Givens's charges, he was cited for improper lane usage, driving on a suspended license and having no insurance. Two of his charges call for extended sentencing upon conviction. He's currently being held in lieu of a $350,000 bond at the Kane County Jail.

The charges against Givens, which were secured through the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, are not proof of guilt. He is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the State’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Aurora Beacon-News learned from prison records that Givens was paroled in August. He was sentenced to six years for a home invasion charge from 2014. His prior prison sentences also includes eight years for aggravated discharge of a weapon.

Image via Aurora Police Department