Man Who Crashed Into Elmhurst Home Jailed: Police

ELMHURST, IL – Three men who stole merchandise from two Villa Park stores last week were arrested after crashing into an Elmhurst house, authorities said.

Arthur Turner, 38, of Chicago, was arrested on charges of burglary, retail theft, aggravated fleeing and eluding an officer, and aggravated battery. He was also wanted in an armed robbery in Rockford-based Winnebago County, police said.

Two other men – 54-year-old Orwin Turner of Zion and 55-year-old Thomas White of Chicago – were charged with burglary and retail theft, police said.

A DuPage County judge ordered Arthur Turner to stay in jail until his trial. The other two were released after spending some time in jail.

Shortly before 7 a.m. Friday, Villa Park officers responded to the Walgreens at 10 E. St. Charles Road about a retail theft. The manager told officers that the men stole diapers and gum packs worth $432, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors.

About 15 minutes later, the three men were believed to have stolen $891 in similar items as well as alcohol from Walgreens at 200 E. Roosevelt Road, police said.

Shortly after, officers saw the men heading east in a Nissan on St. Charles near Route 83, police said.

Turner did not stop for the officers, prosecutors said. Instead, he turned south on West Avenue in Elmhurst and sped over 60 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Turner struck a moving Ford F-250 pickup truck, veered off the road and then hit an attached garage of a home on Berkley Avenue, police said.

The trio then ran away, but were caught soon after, prosecutors said.

Authorities alleged Arthur Turner spat on an officer and repeatedly threatened police.

"We are all very thankful, and perhaps a bit lucky, that no one was injured, or worse, as a result of Arthur Turner’s alleged actions," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release. "With the school year winding to a close, our streets will soon be filled with children enjoying their summers. I urge everyone, if you see lights behind you, pull over."