Man charged with burglary of Villa Park tobacco store, fleeing police on foot across I-290

A 34-year-old man faces felony charges after authorities said he stole more than $8,500 in merchandise from a Villa Park tobacco store and then led police on a dramatic chase early Tuesday before running across Interstate 290.

Michael Soria, of the 13200 block of Olde Western Avenue in Blue Island, has been charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools and aggravated fleeing and eluding police.

Judge Mia McPherson on Wednesday ordered Soria held in DuPage County jail on $25,000 bail. Soria would have to post $2,500 to be released from custody.

About 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Villa Park police responded to a call of a burglary at Roosevelt Tobacco and found the front window of the business on the 100 block of West Roosevelt Road had been shattered.

According to prosecutors, officers spotted Soria leaving the store with a bag full of merchandise.

When officers shined a spotlight on him, he dropped the bag and ran to a minivan, prosecutors said. Soria drove east on Roosevelt Road at about 80 mph, prosecutors said.

After police deflated the minivan's tires with spike strips at Roosevelt and I-290, Soria ran across I-290, eluding police until officers found him walking near his home at 10:42 a.m., prosecutors said.

"Even though Mr. Soria allegedly ran across I-290 on foot to avoid immediate arrest, officers took him into custody just six hours later without putting their lives or the lives of innocent motorists at risk by engaging in a foot pursuit across a busy expressway," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement Wednesday.

In a search of the minivan, authorities found 53 cartons of cigarettes taken from the tobacco store and burglary tools, including black gloves, a hammer, a pry bar, a drill and a large breaker bar, prosecutors said.

Soria's arraignment is set for Sept. 27.