About $100K in computer equipment taken from Vernon Hills business recovered but robbers still on the loose

Computer equipment valued at more than $100,000 was taken early Thursday from a facility in Vernon Hills and later recovered from a crashed vehicle in Chicago but several of the robbers are still on the loose, police said.

The driver of the crashed vehicle was held by police but authorities are searching for the passenger as well as two other vehicles and occupants in a situation that began unfolding about 1 a.m.

Vernon Hills police were called to the CDW complex on the 200 block of North Milwaukee Avenue after a truck driver saw a group of masked individuals removing cargo from a trailer parked in a secured portion of the property, police said.

After confronting the men, the driver was battered and threatened with a firearm implied but not displayed, police said.

The suspects fled in three vehicles and were seen traveling east on Interstate 94 from Route 60 (Townline Road) in Vernon Hills.

A short time later, Glencoe police tried to stop the caravan but were unsuccessful, according to a release.

Officers continued to follow until one of the vehicles, a Chrysler Pacifica, crashed in the 5400 block of South Wells Street in Chicago, according to the release.

The driver was not injured and charges are pending, police said.

The passenger remains at large and the other vehicles and occupants have not been found.

Vernon Hills police said it appeared the majority of the targeted computer equipment was recovered from the crashed Pacifica. The situation is being investigated as a cargo theft and aggravated robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Vernon Hills police investigators at (847) 362-4449 or email at pdtips@vhills.org.