Judge Transferred Minor Case to Adult Division in Peoria
A 15-year-old faces felony charges following a high-speed police chase involving a stolen vehicle.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Property Crime
The Peoria County Circuit Court has transferred the case of 15-year-old Delonzo Willett to the adult division. Willett is currently held at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of robbery, aggravated battery, and criminal property damage.
Why it matters
The transfer of a juvenile to adult court indicates the severity of the felony allegations faced by the defendant. Prosecutors requested his continued detention pending the legal outcome of the case.
Delonzo Willett remains in custody following the court's decision to move his case to the adult division. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for mid-October to address the felony charges.
The players
Delonzo Willett
He is a 15-year-old defendant currently detained at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center.
David Brown
He is the presiding judge in the Peoria County Circuit Court who ordered the defendant held in custody.
The details
The charges stem from a February 17 incident where a 2013 Jeep Cherokee was stolen from Avon Court at 6:30 a.m. The subsequent 10-minute police chase reached speeds of 90 mph and concluded at Main and University streets after the vehicle hit a spike strip.
Timeline
February 17: The vehicle was stolen and the police chase occurred.
Last month: A detention hearing took place for the suspect.
Mid-October: The suspect is scheduled for a preliminary hearing.
Legal Context
The transfer process mirrors broader trends in state judicial systems where repeat offenses or violent crimes trigger the movement of juvenile cases to adult court. This decision highlights the application of state penal codes for felony charges in the local jurisdiction.
The incident involving a high-speed chase near Peoria High School highlights concerns regarding vehicular safety in the community. Residents should remain aware of local traffic alerts as investigations into the criminal activity continue.
The takeaway
Legal proceedings for minors involved in violent felonies are subject to strict jurisdictional transfer requirements in Illinois. These cases often involve lengthy preliminary steps before reaching a final resolution in the adult court system.
What happens next
The defendant is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in mid-October.
Further reading
For more information on local judicial proceedings, visit the /crime/property-crime/ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WMBD 31 Peoria.
