Nine charged with theft, burglary from Lombard store

Nine people, mostly from Chicago, have been charged with stealing merchandise from the Dick's Sporting Goods store in Lombard, authorities said Thursday.

Charged with retail theft and burglary are: Antwana Washington, 33, of Chicago; James Hodge, 25, of South Holland; Travis Jackson, 25, of Chicago; Karizma Lawrence, 18, of Calumet City; Tiana Smith, 18, of Chicago; Stephanie Mitchell, 18, of Chicago; Tia Jennings, 18, of Chicago; Tashayn Ross 19, of Chicago; and a juvenile. Washington also faces one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding.

Lombard police said they were called to the store at 810 E. Butterfield Road around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday for a retail theft in progress.

They said all of the defendants except Washington, who stayed outside in her vehicle, concealed items in their clothing and then left the store. When they saw squad cars responding, police said, the suspects threw the items, valued at roughly $2,600, in the parking lot.

Police said the suspects entered two cars and tried to flee.

Washington and three of the suspects drove west on Butterfield Road and a chase ensued that reached speeds of 75 mph in a 35 mph zone along Roosevelt Road. Police used stop sticks to disable the vehicle and the four were taken into custody in a parking lot.

The other suspects were apprehended outside the store.

"The allegations against these nine individuals are outrageous," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release. "These types of brazen behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law."

The next court appearance for each of the defendants is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2018, in front of Judge Liam Brennan.