Men Charged With Stealing Car At Gunpoint In Woodridge

WOODRIDGE, IL — Two men are facing felony charges after police say they stole a car at gunpoint from a gas station in Woodridge on Jan. 22. Darryl Simmons, 18, of the 7900 block of Woodridge Avenue in Woodridge, and Jehdan Matthews, 19, of Calumet City, were each charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm in connection with the incident.

According to police, a man was pumping gas at the Citgo gas station at 2340 75th St. when Simmons came up, put a gun to the man's side, and said, "give me the money," before demanding the man's keys. Simmons and Matthews are then accused of driving away in the man's car until it broke down in traffic.

Police say Simmons and Matthews then got out of the car and fled Darien police on foot through a nearby golf course. Simmons and Matthews were then taken into custody without incident. Police say they found the gun that was used in the carjacking, along with a 30-round extended magazine.

In a statement, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said, "It is alleged that for the fourth time in just over a month, a resident of DuPage County was the victim of a carjacking at gunpoint. In DuPage County, law enforcement has no tolerance for this type of violent behavior. Make no mistake, if you commit a violent crime in DuPage County you will be arrested, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Thankfully the victim of this alleged hijacking was not injured."

Simmons is currently being held in DuPage County Jail on $750,000 bond and is set to appear in court again on Feb. 21. Matthews is being held on $600,000 bond and is scheduled for court on Feb. 20. Both men face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.