Thieving Teens Led Law on Wild Chase When Caught Stealing TVs From Walmart: Cops

JOLIET, IL — Four thieving teens led the law on two wild chases after they were caught stealing televisions from Walmart, police said.

A loss prevention officer from the Walmart on Route 59 recognized the teens and the gray Dodge Intrepid they pulled up in about 12:45 p.m. Friday, police said, matching them with the suspects involved in a theft pulled at the West Jefferson Street Walmart the day before.

The loss prevention officer called the cops and a Captain who arrived on the scene ran the Intrepid’s registration. It came back as stolen from Markham, police said.

Two 17-year-olds had already walked into the Walmart, police said, leaving two 16-year-olds in the car. When the 16-year-olds noticed there were cops in the parking lot, they reportedly took off, making a run for it down Route 59.

The fleeing car turned off 59 onto Vertin Boulevard and crashed into a mailbox. The two teens then ditched the car and dashed into a field, police said, where the cops caught up to them and took them into custody.

Meanwhile, the 17-year-olds in the store were busy loading televisions into a shopping cart, police said. When they caught sight of the cops, they reportedly made a run for it as well, sprinting through the traffic on Route 59. They didn’t get far, as they were captured in the nearby Culver’s parking lot.

Detectives from other south suburban police departments were reportedly heading to Joliet Friday afternoon to see whether the teens were involved in other Walmart crimes.

image via Patch archive