Crime & Safety
Elmhurst Liquor Store Burglary Suspects Identified
A handgun was found near one of the men after he was caught, police said. They were taken to jail.
ELMHURST, IL – Two Chicago men are in jail in connection with an Elmhurst liquor store burglary and chase last week, authorities said.
The men were identified as Michael Harris, 19, and Antwan Ford, 22.
About 5 a.m. Thursday, Elmhurst officers were near Corner Cottage Liquors, 526 W. North Ave., when they saw a red Alfa Romeo Stelvio and a white Dodge Challenger backed into front parking spaces with their trunks open, police said. The business was closed.
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Three people were standing outside with black face masks and hoodies, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors.
When the officers approached the people, they got into their cars and drove away, police said.
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Officers pursued the Alfa Romeo, with Harris as the driver and Ford as the passenger, police said.
On North Avenue, the officers got ahead of the Alfa Romeo and slowed down, with the Alfa Romeo rear-ending the squad car, police said. The damage was estimated at $6,000 to $8,000.
The suspects then drove into oncoming traffic to get away, according to the news release. The chase continued onto Interstate 290, with Harris speeding up to 115 mph, police said. The officers ended the pursuit out of safety concerns.
With help from Oak Park and Oak Brook police, the Alfa Romeo was tracked to the area of Adams and Austin boulevards in Oak Park. The car was broken down.
Oak Park officers saw Harris and Ford get out of the car and run away, police said. They were caught.
Officers found a backpack containing a loaded Glock 26 Gen5 handgun near where Harris was apprehended, police said.
At the liquor store, they were alleged to have smashed the shop's glass door and stolen eight cartons of cigarettes and a cash drawer containing about $100.
The Alfa Romeo was reported stolen in Chicago on Sunday.
Harris and Ford were charged with burglary, criminal damage to public property, and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Harris was also charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and multiple traffic offenses.
DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state's request to keep the men in the DuPage County Jail until trial, prosecutors said.
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