DuPage County juvenile detained pre-trial for Oak Brook burglary and high-speed chase
A DuPage County judge granted the State’s motion on June 18 to detain a seventeen-year-old Chicago juvenile pre-trial, after he was charged with burglary, retail theft, and aggravated fleeing and eluding following an incident at the Oak Brook Alo store. The juvenile is accused of stealing over $1,000 in merchandise and leading police on a high-speed chase that ended when he rolled his vehicle.
Authorities allege that on June 17 at approximately 6:40 p.m., the juvenile entered the Alo store at 68 Oakbrook Court, concealed clothing valued at about $1,010 under his own clothes in a fitting room, and left without paying. He then reportedly joined several individuals in a red Jeep Wrangler as the driver. An officer from the Oak Brook Police Department began following them before the vehicle accelerated away. It is alleged that during the pursuit northbound on Spring Road, speeds exceeded 70 mph in a 25-mph zone. The Jeep crossed into oncoming traffic while attempting to enter Frontage Road from Spring Road, causing another vehicle to veer off-road before rolling over. The juvenile allegedly tried to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after.
“The allegations that this juvenile stole more than one thousand dollars’ worth of merchandise from the Alo store and then led police on an extremely dangerous high-speed chase on busy roads that ended only after he flipped his vehicle are outrageous,” Robert Berlin said. “The juvenile’s alleged actions endangered not only his life and the lives of his passengers, but also the lives of the officers involved and countless innocent motorists and pedestrians. In DuPage County we have zero tolerance for the type of behavior alleged in this case. We are all very grateful that no one was injured, or worse, in this incident. I thank the Oak Brook Police Department for their efforts on this case and for their continuing efforts in keeping our businesses and roadways safe. I also thank the assisting law enforcement agencies as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Angela Bazianos and John Segoviano for their work in securing charges against the juvenile.”
Brian Strockis said, “The Oak Brook Police Department has made it unmistakably clear that anyone who comes into our community intending to commit crimes or endanger others will be apprehended and held accountable... This case is especially alarming because the juvenile offender demonstrated a reckless disregard not only for his own safety, but for the lives of innocent motorists and everyone sharing our roadways... Together, we remain committed to protecting the public and holding those who endanger our community fully accountable.”
The next court appearance is scheduled for June 25 before Judge Kishori Tank.
Members of the public are reminded that these charges are not proof of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
In DuPage County schools during 2022-23 there were approximately 142,363 students enrolled with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 across its schools; teacher absenteeism stood at about 38 percent compared with Illinois' average rate, according to data from Illinois State Board of Education.