A masked gunman stole a car from a Wheaton driveway at gunpoint early Friday, July 24, then led police on a 100-mph chase before spike strips ended the pursuit in a crash, the Wheaton Police Department said.

Andrew Strong, 25, of Chicago, faces charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and aggravated fleeing and eluding. A judge denied him pre-trial release, and he remains held at DuPage County Jail.

What happened

Officers responded to the 1000 block of East Willow Avenue around 12:50 a.m. Friday, July 24, after a resident reported that their Acura MDX had been taken at gunpoint moments after they pulled into their own driveway, according to a Wheaton Police Department news release.

Strong allegedly knocked on the driver's window while wearing a black ski mask and displaying a handgun, demanding the driver exit the vehicle. Once the driver complied, Strong told them to get on the ground, police said.

A second suspect, also masked, then drove off in the stolen Acura. Strong got into a Nissan and fled separately.

High-speed chase and arrest

Both vehicles were spotted heading east on Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn. When officers activated sirens and emergency lights, the cars accelerated to 100 mph, the department's news release said.

Officers deployed spike strips, causing the Nissan to crash. Strong and the other suspect fled on foot and were later seen running along train tracks in the 2000 block of Beach Street, according to police. Strong was taken into custody.

Police recovered a loaded black Springfield handgun from the Nissan's passenger seat. Air support assisted in the apprehension effort, the department said.

Judge denies pre-trial release

Judge Aranda denied Strong pre-trial release. DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said the ruling "sends a crystal-clear message that in DuPage County, we will not tolerate violent criminal activity, as alleged in this case."

Berlin added that no one was physically injured during the incident.

Strong is scheduled to appear in court Monday, Aug. 24.

What remains unknown

The second suspect has not been publicly identified or charged. The Wheaton Police Department has not confirmed whether the stolen Acura MDX was recovered.

Residents with information can contact the Wheaton Police Department at 630-260-2161.