Elmhurst Theft Suspect Uses Handicapped Spot: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – A man who stole kitchen appliances from an Elmhurst store also parked in a handicapped spot in front of the store's door, authorities said.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Tuesday, Elmhurst police were called about a retail theft in progress involving a man later identified as 32-year-old Jrlani Williams of Chicago, prosecutors said.

At Kohl's, 303 S. Route 83, Williams selected a blender, removed an anti-theft device and placed the blender in a shopping cart, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors.

He then selected an electric griddle before staging the cart near the front door, police said.

After reaching the store, officers placed a tire-deflation device behind one of the back tires of Williams' Jaguar F-Type.

Williams then ran toward his Jaguar and entered it.

When officers ordered him to get out, Williams instead drove over the tire-deflation device and fled, police said.

Officers chased Williams, but lost sight of him. Shortly after, they found the Jaguar abandoned in a ditch near York Street and Butterfield Road, police said.

Williams was then discovered hiding in a nearby stand of trees. He ran away, but was quickly caught, police said.

Williams was charged with the felonies of burglary and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer.

He also faces lesser charges, such as retail theft, resisting a police officer and driving with a suspended license.

A DuPage County judge ordered Williams detained until his trial.