Chopper Deployed In Elmhurst Shoplifting Case: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – A Chicago police helicopter helped officers catch three suspects who shoplifted at an Elmhurst store, authorities said.

The theft took place about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Kohl's, 303 S. Route 83, prosecutors said.

Trinetta Wells, 52, of Chicago; Sylvester Wells, 50, of Chicago; and Darryl Foster, 56, of Wheaton, were charged with felony burglary and retail theft charges.

Wells also was charged with felony possession of another's debit card and Foster with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Foster had a crack pipe and straw containing a white powdery substance, police said.

The three were accused of stealing $343 in merchandise at Kohl's, with each taking one jacket before fleeing the store, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Officers were told about a car matching the description of the car involved in the theft on Interstate 290 in Des Plaines.

With the help of the helicopter, officers found the car at Interstate 290 and Cicero Avenue in Cicero. They continued tracking the car until it left the expressway at Independence Boulevard in Chicago, prosecutors said.

The three were taken into custody near Madison Street and Springfield Avenue.

"The quick apprehension of the defendants in this case illustrates our commitment to public safety and our willingness to use every tool available to us to apprehend anyone suspected of criminal behavior," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

In the statement, Elmhurst Police Chief Michael McLean said it was another example of local police working with their Chicago counterparts to track down suspects within minutes of committing a crime.