Crime & Safety

Officials: Nuclear Engineer Who Stole Car at Gunpoint was "Thrill Seeking"

Michael Buhrman is charged with aggravated car jacking following an incident in Woodridge Wednesday night.

A masked man who Wednesday night later told authorities it was a "stupid thing" to do and he was only "thrill seeking," according to the Daily Herald

Michael Buhrman, 31, of Coal City, IL, has been charged with aggravated car jacking with a firearm and appeared in DuPage County bond court Friday. Buhrman was released after paying $20,000, according to the Daily Herald

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Buhrman allegedly pointed a handgun at a woman seated inside a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am while wearing a Halloween mask, according to a release. He ordered her out of the car at gunpoint, got in the car and drove away, police said.

A witness to the robbery followed the stolen car and informed police of its whereabouts, according to reports.

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Police said they stopped the car near the Centerpointe Mall along Woodward Avenue and arrested Buhrman, who was still wearing the Halloween mask and had a loaded .45 caliber handgun in his possession.

Buhrman has been identified as a nuclear engineer at Dresden, a nuclear power plant southwest of Joliet in Grundy County, according to the Daily Herald

His next court appearance is scheduled for June 4. 


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