$100K Bond For Oswego Man Who Led Cops On 150 MPH Chase: State's Atty

OSWEGO, IL — An Oswego man was issued a $100,000 bond Tuesday, a day after attempting to elude police by driving nearly 80 mph over the Interstate 88 speed limit, officials said.

Vermain Schaefer, of the 200 block of Paradise Parkway, was charged with one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding an officer after attempting to outrun police by driving 100 mph, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

An Illinois State trooper was performing speed enforcement measures around 12:19 p.m. Monday in the area around Interstate 88 and Interstate 355 when they saw a motorcycle driving near the Washington Street exit on I-88 at a high rate of speed. When the officer turned on their lights to conduct a traffic stop, the driver "immediately accelerated," reaching a speed of nearly 135 mph while weaving in and out of traffic, officials said.

The trooper on the ground did not pursue the motorcyclist; instead, Illinois State Police Air Ops monitored him as he reached speeds of 150 mph, officials said. After about 27 minutes, the driver got off the expressway and parked on Ramm Drive in Naperville, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Officials determined Schaefer, 27, did not have a valid driver's license.

"The allegations that Mr. Schaefer fled from the police at nearly eighty miles-an-hour above the posted speed limit are outrageous," DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and puts the entire motoring public and the officers involved at great risk. Once again, with the help of air support, the accused was taken into custody.

"Thankfully, no innocent motorists or bystanders were injured or worse as a result of Mr. Schaefer's alleged actions. The message is simple, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over."

The man's next court date, for arraignment, is scheduled for June 20.