Downers Grove Carjacking Suspect Charged

Demario Butler, 30 (d.o.b. 4/8/1991) of the 4300 block of W. Maypole, appeared in Bond Court yesterday morning where Judge James McCluskey set bond at $500,000 with 10% to apply. Butler has been charged with one count of Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking With a Firearm (Class 1 Felony) and one count of Armed Robbery with a Firearm (Class X Felony).

On September 30, 2021, at approximately 1:19 p.m., officers with the Downers Grove Police Department were dispatched to the BP gas station located at 4314 Main Street, Downers Grove, for a call of an armed robbery and attempted vehicular hijacking that had just occurred. Upon their arrival, officers spoke to the victim and several other witnesses at the gas station. It is alleged that the victim was at the gas station when two people approached her, Butler on the driver's side of the vehicle and the second individual on the passenger side of the vehicle. It is alleged that Butler was holding a black handgun next to his face with the barrel pointed upward and demanded the victim's car keys and cell phone. It is further alleged that the victim handed over her cell phone to Butler and then ran toward the store. It is alleged that Butler then entered the driver's side of the victim's vehicle. It is further alleged that Butler and the other individual were unable to start the car and exited the vehicle. It is alleged that after exiting the vehicle, Butler initially began walking toward the victim but then changed course and ran toward Ogden Avenue. On October 22, authorities conducted a search warrant at Butler's home at which time Butler was taken into custody.

"We will not stand idly by and allow the residents of DuPage County to be terrorized by violent crime, as alleged in this case," Berlin said. "Make no mistake, anyone who commits a violent crime in DuPage County will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Thankfully, the victim in this case was not physically harmed. I thank the Downers Grove Police Department and DuPage MERIT for their outstanding work in identifying and apprehending the defendant in this case. I also like to thank Assistant State's Attorneys Kristin Sullivan, Alyssa Rabulinski and Jessica Sisler for their efforts in securing charges against Mr. Butler."      

"I would like to thank all of the officers who worked tirelessly to investigate this case and bring it to this safe and successful resolution" Gillette said. "I would also like to thank the DuPage MERIT METRO SWAT Team for their assistance, as well as DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their legal guidance and support throughout this investigation."  

Butler's next court appearance is scheduled for November 22, 2021, for arraignment in front of Judge Ann Celine O'Hallaren Walsh.          

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant's guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government's burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.