New charge added for man accused of leading police on high-speed chase with stolen vehicle

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Court documents reveal new details about the police chase involving a man in a stolen vehicle with multiple guns earlier this month in Rock Island.

Daniel Niyonyishu, 18, of Rock Island, faces several charges including Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle, a Class 2 Felony, four counts of Aggravated Fleeing or Eluding Police, Aggravated Assault on Police Officer, and three counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapon, all Class 4 Felonies.

UPDATE: An additional charge of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony, was added to Niyonyishu’s case.

Niyonyishu is accused of leading police on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle reaching a top speed of around 135 mph with multiple guns, court records show.

Shots fired.

According to prosecutors, at around 11:15 p.m. Nov. 5, Rock Island Police received a report from a person who heard shots fired in the area of 14 1/2 Street and saw a black Kia Sportage leaving the area at a high speed, court records show.

Meanwhile, a woman reported that she was sitting in her living room in the 1000 block of 12th Street when a bullet came through her wall. And her vehicle, parked outside, was also hit, court records show.

Investigators found three spent shell casings from an AR-style rifle outside her home, court records show.

A neighbor sent a video to police showing the black Kia driving past the home at the time of the shooting, court records show.

Police were able to identify the registered owner of the black Kia who had previously reported it stolen, court records show.

The chase.

Shortly after midnight, the black Kia was seen in Moline by an officer who activated their emergency lights and sirens to pull it over, court records show.

The Kia fled on 38th Street, disregarded two stop signs and reached speeds in excess of 100 mph while swerving into oncoming traffic, court records show.

After entering the Milan Beltway, the Kia ran over stop sticks placed by the Sheriff’s Office before running through a red light and two stop signs on 92nd Avenue West at speeds in excess of 135 mph, court records show.

The chase continued with the Kia driving the wrong way on a one-way road, driving into oncoming traffic and running more stop lights and signs before its two front tires gave out, court records show.

A blue sedan tried to impede the chase by driving around a squad car and ramming it before getting away on foot. The suspect was never caught, court records show.

While a sergeant with Rock Island Police tried to place stop sticks in the area of 9th Street and 18th Avenue in Rock Island, the driver of the Kia tried to swerve toward the sergeant but eventually crashed into a utility pole and took off on foot before being caught, court records show.

Video shows Niyonyishu exiting the driver’s side of the Kia, establishing him as the driver, court records show.

While on foot, the 15-year-old passenger was seen tossing a loaded handgun with an extended magazine. While in custody, officers found a second loaded handgun with an extended magazine. An AR-style rifle was also found near the Kia, according to Rock Island Police.

Criminal history.

In May 2023, prosecutors say Niyonyishu cut off his ankle monitor while on pretrial release for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, court records show.

In Sep. 2023, prosecutors say officers found a handgun with an extended magazine on Niyonyishu when he was arrested while trying to enter a Rock Island High School football game, court records show.

In January 2020, prosecutors say Niyonyishu was involved in a physical fight while at school, court records show.

Details of these incidents are currently not available to the public because Niyonyishu was a minor at the time.

What’s next?

UPDATE: On Nov. 18, Niyonyishu pled Not Guilty to all charges. He remains in custody at the Rock Island County Jail.

A pretrial conference is set for Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m. in Rock Island County.

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