DNA Ties High School Junior To Tinley Park Car Theft: Police

TINLEY PARK, IL -- DNA tied a Bogan High School junior to a car theft that took place last Christmas Eve in Tinley Park, prosecutors said. Reginald Fisher, 18, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Fisher, who appeared in court in a brown jumpsuit, is currently being detained in Cook County Jail for a similar charge.

On Dec. 24, 2018, a woman parked her 2012 Ford Fusion in front of the 7-Eleven store at 7601 W. 159th St. in Tinley Park. The woman left the car unlocked with the keys in the ignition and the engine running while she ran into the store for a few minutes. While she was inside, the prosecutor said Fisher climbed into the car and drove off.

About an hour later, the car was found abandoned and out of gas near I-80 and Meyers Road in Oak Brook. The vehicle’s owner told police that there was very little gas in the car when it was stolen, the prosecutor said. Tinley Park police were able to get a DNA sample off the steering wheel, which is said to be a match for Fisher.

Fisher has another pending case for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, after he fled from a damaged vehicle in Chicago on Jan. 16, 2019, the prosecutor said. Fisher also has a pending juvenile adjudication for aggravated vehicular hijacking.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Fisher recently turned 18. Fisher’s bond was revoked. Fisher is due back in court May 16 in Bridgeview.