Teen Fled Cops In Stolen Car At More Than 80 MPH In Bloomingdale: Prosecutors

BLOOMINGDALE, IL — Prosecutors say a 14-year-old Bloomingdale boy led police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car, drove over spike strips, lost a tire and then hit another car Tuesday night. The teen, who was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing and eluding, is being detained until he's scheduled to appear in court again.

Officers reported that they saw the boy driving a stolen Hyundai Elantra near the intersection of Edgewater Drive and Glen Ellyn Road just after 11:15 p.m. Police say they tried to pull the car over on Lake Street near Glen Ellyn Road, but the boy sped east down Lake, hitting speeds upwards of 80 mph.

According to police, the boy sped through a red light and wove in and out of traffic before heading south on Rohlwing Road, where he again reached speeds of more than 80 mph. Spike strips were placed in an attempt to stop the teen as he drove onto Army Trail Road, but police say the boy drove over the spike strips.

The car then lost a tire, according to prosecutors, and the teen t-boned another car while trying to make a turn on Walter Street. The teen is accused of fleeing on foot after the crash and was arrested shortly after.

He and the driver of the other car were taken to a local hospital, treated and released.

“While Fleeing and Eluding cases were down almost seven percenet in DuPage County last year, the number of drivers fleeing from the police remains disturbingly high. If the allegation that a 14 year-old led police on a high speed chase in a stolen car on residential roads is proven true, this minor displayed a complete contempt for the rule of law and public safety,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “The outrageous actions alleged against the juvenile not only put the motoring public as well as the officers involved at great risk, but also caused damage to another person’s vehicle. The successful apprehension of the defendant in this case once again sends the message that in DuPage County, if you attempt to flee from the police, you will be arrested, charged and prosecuted. We are all extremely grateful that no innocent motorists or bystanders were seriously injured or killed as a result of the defendant’s alleged actions."

The teen is set to appear in court again on Aug. 4.