Shoplifters Lead Police on Chase along Route 30

A group of thieves led police on a chase late Thursday after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from Kohl’s, 11055 W. Lincoln Hwy in Frankfort.

Responding to a call of a retail theft in progress at 9 p.m., Frankfort police canvassed the nearby Cardinal Lake neighborhood and Rte. 30 in search of the suspects. Officers spotted several of the subjects walking along Rte. 30 near Wolf Road, said Frankfort Police Deputy Chief Kevin Keegan. Two were arrested following a brief foot chase. One was later curbed in the parking lot of the Frankfort Township building, where police searched the vehicle for stolen merchandise. The driver was determined to have never entered the store, and was released. A third suspect was arrested shortly afterward, Keegan said.

Chicago residents Lonzell Street, 45, Timeko Street, 23, and Laticia Holmes, 26, were each charged with burglary, having allegedly stolen $3,000 in merchandise from Kohl’s. The same group is suspected to have earlier targeted Party City, 11375 Lincoln Hwy. in Mokena, where they reportedly stole an estimated $600 in merchandise.

Police are still determining the origin of additional merchandise recovered from the vehicle.

Keegan said the Will County State’s Attorney approved charges of burglary based on the arrestees’ apparent intent to commit a felony or theft when entering the stores. Burglary is a Class 2 felony in Illinois, and carries a prison term of 3 to 7 years upon conviction.