Elmhurst Cops Join Chase Of Theft Suspects: Authorities

OAK BROOK, IL – Two theft suspects led police officers, including those from Elmhurst, on a pursuit into Chicago on Thursday, authorities said.

Brandon Abrons, 49, of Michigan City, Indiana, and McKinley Brown, 42, of Chicago, were arrested and taken to jail.

About 2 p.m., Oak Brook police were called about a grab-and-run theft at the Macy's department store in Oakbrook Center, prosecutors said.

Officers saw a car that matched the one with the suspects, but the driver would not stop for the police, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

A short time later, Elmhurst officers found the car near Interstate 290 and Austin Boulevard in Chicago, but the driver continued to speed past 80 mph, the release said. The suspects were caught a little while later after a 42-minute chase, police said.

The men are accused of stealing $2,400 worth of merchandise from Macy's, according to the release. Abrons was said to be wearing a stolen coat with price tags on it when he was arrested.

“The allegations that these two defendants stole merchandise from a retail store in the middle of the afternoon and then led police on a high-speed pursuit, endangering the innocent public, are outrageous,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release.

Abrons and Brown face felony charges of burglary and theft. Abrons also was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding.

A judge set Abrons' bond at $75,000 and Brown's at $50,000.