Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced that the Court yesterday denied the State's motion to detain pre-trial two Zion women accused of stealing more than $1,400 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy's department store, located at 1 Oak Brook Center. Asia Wallace, 32, of the 1600 block of Lorelei Drive, and Kayshanda Outlaw, 24, of the same address, appeared in First Appearance Court yesterday morning each charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony). Additionally, Outlaw is charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).

On June 29, 2024, at approximately 3:41 p.m., officers with the Oak Brook Police Department responded to Macy's at Oak Brook Center for a call of a retail theft in progress. It is alleged that Wallace and Outlaw selected numerous items of children's clothing and exited the store without paying for any of the items. It is alleged that Outlaw exited with merchandise valued at approximately $839.15 and Wallace exited with merchandise valued at approximately $625.50.

It is further alleged that both women entered a silver Hyundai Sonata, with Outlaw driving, and attempted to flee the scene. When Oak Brook officers used a marked squad car to attempt to block the defendants, Outlaw allegedly side-swiped the squad car as she sped to the exit of the parking lot. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens and initiated pursuit northbound on Route 83. It is further alleged that Outlaw exited Route 83 and continued to flee eastbound on Butterfield Road where she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another vehicle at Butterfield Road and Prospect Avenue.

During the pursuit, it is alleged that Outlaw reached speeds of approximately ninety mph. After crashing into another vehicle, both women fled on foot but were taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit. The driver of the impacted vehicle was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

"The allegations that in the middle of the afternoon these two defendants stole more than $1,400 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy's and then side-swiped a squad car before leading authorities on a high-speed chase are extremely disturbing," Berlin said. "To make matters worse, it is alleged that Ms. Outlaw not only crashed her car into an innocent motorist's car, sending the driver to the hospital with minor injuries but she did so in a largely residential area in front of a school. We are all thankful that the motorist was not seriously injured and that no other innocent motorists or pedestrians were injured or killed."

Berlin commended "the Oak Brook Police Department for their outstanding efforts that led to the apprehension of the defendants" and thanked Assistant State's Attorney Christina Kye and Philip Ungar for their work in securing charges against them.

"This is another example of criminals having the false belief that there are no consequences for their criminal actions when they flee from police," Strockis said. "That may be true in other areas, but it's certainly not the case in Oak Brook and DuPage County."

Strockis expressed gratitude that no one was seriously injured during this incident and thanked his officers for their efforts in maintaining safety in Oak Brook.

The next court appearance for both women is scheduled for July 29, 2024, for arraignment.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.