Charges were upgraded last week against a Hanover Park man that Bartlett police charged with his tenth DUI since 1991.

The DuPage County Grand Jury indicted Richard Niemczyk, 49, of 7846 Jensen Blvd., Hanover Park, Thursday11/5 for aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. The charge was upgraded to a Class X Felony since it was his tenth arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol since March 19, 1991. A Class X Felony can result in six to 30 years in state penitentiary and/or a fine of up to $25,000, according to police.

Around 8 p.m. Oct. 21, police responded to a business in the 900 block of Illinois Route 59 to investigate a customer dispute after an employee said Niemczyk was acting belligerent while attempting to return merchandise to the store. 

During the investigation, police realized Niemczyk’s driver’s license was revoked and told him not to drive his vehicle out of the parking lot.

At about 8:15 p.m., police saw Niemczyk drive a white 1994 Ford Econoline southbound onto Illinois Route 59 from Apple Valley Drive. Police stopped Niemczyk’s vehicle at the intersection of Struckman Boulevard and Illinois Route 59, where he was later charged for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a revoked license.  

The Bartlett Police Department and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Niemczyk with a Class 1 Felony for aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class 4 Felony for aggravated driving with a revoked license, a Class A Misdemeanor for driving under the Influence of Alcohol and a Class A Misdemeanor for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol With a blood alcohol content of .08 or more. 

Niemczyk was transported to the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton, where he is being held on a $100,000 bail after his bail bond hearing on Oct. 22.