Wheaton, IL – A Cook County man accused of carjacking a driver at gunpoint in Wheaton before allegedly leading police on a high-speed pursuit has been ordered held pending trial after a DuPage County judge granted prosecutors’ request to deny pretrial release.
According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, Andrew Strong, 25, of Chicago, appeared in First Appearance Court on Sunday, July 26, 2026, where Judge Louis Aranda granted the State’s motion to detain him. Strong is charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony), and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).
Prosecutors allege the incident began at approximately 12:45 a.m. Friday, July 24, when a driver pulled into a driveway in the 1000 block of East Willow Avenue in Wheaton. Authorities allege a masked individual armed with a handgun ordered the victim out of a 2020 Acura MDX while a second masked suspect drove away in the SUV. Investigators allege the suspects then left the area in both the stolen Acura and a gray Nissan Sentra.
According to prosecutors, a Glen Ellyn police officer later spotted both vehicles traveling east on Roosevelt Road. Police allege both drivers fled, reaching speeds of approximately 100 mph in a posted 35 mph zone before the pursuit ended after the Nissan struck a curb and was disabled by spike strips. Authorities allege Strong fled on foot before being apprehended with assistance from an Illinois State Police aircraft and multiple law enforcement agencies.
Officials said investigators recovered a loaded black Springfield handgun from the Nissan’s passenger seat.
Strong’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2026, before Judge Daniel Guerin. The investigation remains active, and Wheaton police are asking anyone with information to contact the department.
Authorities emphasize that the charges are allegations. Strong is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
