Shorewood Citizen Calls For Probe of Police Pursuit

A local man called on village officials to investigate the police pursuit of an ex-convict who allegedly stole a DVD player from a drug store.

"I feel that the community needs a complete report on this," resident Ed Murphy told Mayor Rick Chapman and the village board during their meeting Tuesday night.

Two Shorewood officers sustained injuries that required treatment at a hospital and two squad cars were damaged during the pursuit and capture of parolee and alleged shoplifter Anthony Thompson on Sunday.

Thompson, 40, was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated fleeing, driving on a revoked or suspended license, and retail theft. He remains in the Will County jail, where he is being held in lieu of $75,000 bond.

But before he was taken into custody, Thompson allegedly injured one Shorewood police officer in the parking lot of the when he pinned him between his car and a parked vehicle. Another officer was injured following a chase up Route 59 through Shorewood, Joliet and Plainfield when Thompson abruptly braked and put a squad car in a ditch, said.

Murphy publicly questioned the "appropriateness of the response" that sent police on the lengthy chase and could have caused "collateral damage to innocent victims." But Murphy also said he was "not blaming" the police for anything.

"I do appreciate what the police do," he said, adding, "I just feel it is appropriate for the community to know."

Chapman assured Murphy he would meet with Police Chief Aaron Klima and look into the matter.

"Mr. Murphy, I will personally get with the chief," the mayor said. "I'm sure that the report will come out and a lot of things will be cleared up. I'm sure when all the facts come out, you'll find it very appropriate."