Amazon Driver Attacked Near Elmhurst: Cops

Elmhurst IL

28 April, 2021

5:14 PM

Description

VILLA PARK, IL — A man who attacked an Amazon delivery driver and took his vehicle last week in Villa park was arrested at a nearby motel two days later, authorities said. Jiovani Villa, 21, of Villa Park, was charged with carjacking, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, robbery and aggravated battery on a public way, police said. His bond was set at $100,000. About 8 p.m. April 21, when the Amazon driver returned to his vehicle, a man standing near it pushed him to the ground and stole the vehicle, according to a DuPage County Sheriff's Office news release. The vehicle contained a number of Amazon packages. The incident occurred near Danby Street and Kirkland Lane in the Brandywine neighborhood of unincorporated Villa Park, police said. Police found the vehicle Friday morning in the parking lot of a Villa Park motel near Roosevelt Road and Ardmore Avenue, according to the news release. Villa was in the driver's seat and taken into custody without any problems, police said. While in custody of sheriff's deputies, Villa confessed to the carjacking as well as opening and selling the Amazon packages at a gas station in Chicago, the news release said. "Criminals are getting more and more brazen as we see penalties for these violent crimes begin to be reduced," Sheriff James Mendrick said in the news release. "When you reduce penalties, it only makes sense crime will increase." Mendrick did not indicate when the penalties were reduced. Asked about the sheriff's statement, spokesman Justin Kmitch said he believed Mendrick was referring to a bill passed by the Legislature that takes effect July 1. But crimes committed before then do not fall under that law's purview. Patch could find no provisions under the legislation that reduce the sentences for those convicted of carjacking. Patch asked Kmitch for further clarification.