Ill. Police Officer Seriously Injured When Accused Thieves Ram Cruiser

Source Pioneer Press Newspapers, Suburban Chicago

A DuPage County judge set bond Wednesday for three people charged in the Tuesday theft of merchandise from the Nordstrom Rack store near Oak Brook Mall, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced.

Doniesha Chew, 23, of the 800 block of E. 153rd Street, Phoenix, Terrance Reed, 37, of the 6000 block of S. Indiana Avenue, Chicago and Jaquay Shines, 25, of the 6800 block of S. Throop Street, Chicago, were charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Aggravated Assault — Threaten with a Motor Vehicle (Class 3), one count of Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property (Class 3 Felony) and three counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony), according to a news release.

Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $350,000 with 10% to apply for Chew, $350,000 with 10% to apply for Reed and $150,000 with 10% to apply for Shines.

According to the news release, around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Oak Brook Police Department received a call for a retail theft at Nordstrom Rack located at 2155 W. 22nd Street. When they arrived, officers activated their lights and sirens at which point the vehicle suspected of being involved in the theft, a Mazda 6, intentionally collided head-on with the officers' car, the released said.

Police officials allege that after colliding with the officers' car, the Mazda, later determined to be driven by Chew, fled the scene westbound on 22nd Street. After a pursuit, during which the Mazda reached speeds in excess of 100 mph and involved multiple assisting agencies, the Mazda was stopped southbound on I-294 just south of 75th Street, the release said.

After being stopped, Reed allegedly fled the vehicle on foot and was apprehended about 100 yards away, according to the release. Chew and Shines remained in the Mazda and were taken into custody.

Following an investigation into the matter, police allege that Chew, who brought empty bags with her, Shines and Reed entered the shoe department at Nordstrom Rack together and that once inside, Reed removed four sets of children's boots from their boxes, placed them inside the bags they had brought and returned the empty boxes to the shelves according to the release. It is further alleged that the trio then left the store together.

"The type of criminal behavior alleged in this case clearly displays the defendants' complete and utter disregard for the rule of law and for public safety," Berlin said in a statement. "The allegations that these three defendants entered a retail store in the middle of the afternoon, stole merchandise and then led authorities on a high-speed chase, will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. I thank the Oak Brook Police Department for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our retail establishments safe. I thank the Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Elmhurst and Hodgkins Police Departments as well as the Illinois State Police for their assistance on this case."

"I'd like to thank all the police agencies that assisted us with this incident as well as DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin's Office," Strockis said in the release. "Each and every day, our officers proactively address crimes in our community to keep residents and visitors safe. Our message is clear, if you come here to steal and intentionally attempt to harm police officers, we will pursue you and arrest you. The Village had one officer seriously injured and hospitalized during this incident and I pray for the officer's speedy recovery."

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