Man In Stolen Car Chased By Hinsdale Officers: Cops

HINSDALE, IL – Officers in Hinsdale and then Oak Brook chased a man driving a stolen car Thursday before they captured him when his car stalled, authorities said.

The man was identified as 22-year-old Jelani Pinkston of Chicago.

About 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Hinsdale police first saw the man driving the stolen car and tried to stop him, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Officers said they called off the pursuit because of dangerous speeds.

A short time later, Oak Brook officers saw the same car driving erratically and speeding, prosecutors said. They tried to pull over Pinkston, but he continued to drive recklessly, including through a residential neighborhood, at times driving into oncoming traffic and reaching speeds of 95 mph in a 35 mph zone, police said. Pinkston's car stalled on Cass Avenue.

The car he was driving was reported stolen three days earlier, the news release said.

“The allegations that Mr. Pinkston was not only in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, but also reached speeds approaching 100 mph in an attempt to avoid apprehension are disturbing,” DuPage County States's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. "Thankfully, no motorists or pedestrians were injured as Mr. Pinkston allegedly fled authorities."

Pinkston was arrested on charges of felony aggravated fleeing and eluding and felony possession of a stolen vehicle.

A judge set Pinkston's bond at $250,000. Pinkston must come up with 10 percent to be released.