Man charged after high-speed chase from Oak Brook to Countryside
Pre-trial release was denied for a Chicago man accused of leading police in a high-speed chase from Oak Brook to Countryside in a stolen car.
Theon Mitchell, 26, of the 6800 block of S. St. Lawrence Avenue, has been charged with one felony count of aggravated possession of a stolen motor, one felony count of attempted aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, two felony counts of fleeing and eluding a police officer, and one misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden Thursday granted the state’s motion to deny pre-trial release, according to a press release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.
On Wednesday, an Oak Brook police officer received information about an allegedly stolen Toyota 4Runner being in the area of Route 83, the release stated.
At around 1:37 p.m., the officer located the vehicle traveling northbound on Route 83 and followed it.
After the officer turned on his siren and lights, the driver — later determined to be Mitchell — sped away at up to 75 mph, officials said.
Authorities say Mitchell took a U-turn near Riverside Drive and headed southbound on Route 83, weaving through traffic and onto the shoulder of the road to avoid stop sticks.
Mitchell exited onto 55th Street, reaching speeds between 80 and 100 mph, as other departments joined the chase, according to the press release.
Officials said Mitchell stopped at a red light at 55th Street and Willow Springs Road. But when police got out of their cars to stop him, Mitchell drove off on 55th Street and hit an unmarked squad car.
According to authorities, Mitchell continued to drive away until pulling into a school parking lot in the 9600 block of 55th Street in Countryside, where Mitchell got out of the Toyota and ran. Police found him hiding in bushes around the corner of the school and took him into custody, officials said.
Mitchell’s next court date is scheduled for April 14. If found guilty, he faces a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.