Car Stolen In New Lenox Crashes In Mokena, Occupants Evade Police

NEW LENOX, IL — A car reported stolen from a New Lenox driveway was spotted in Mokena the same day, its driver evading police before then crashing in a subdivision.

A homeowner in the 900 block of Bentley who had been vacationing reported their car stolen out of their driveway, according to police reports. Later on Aug. 1, the day it had been reported stolen, the car was spotted in Mokena, New Lenox police said. The owner told police they think it had been stolen a week prior.

Will County Sheriff's deputies were notified that the stolen Kia Forte had been seen traveling westbound on LaPorte Road from South LaGrange Road. A deputy spotted the vehicle at Patricia Lane and began following it through the neighborhood without lights while awaiting backup, police said.

The vehicle came to dead-end street Kevin Avenue, and police activated their lights as the car was driven in yards between two homes in the Grassmere subdivision. The vehicle hit an incline and stopped near railroad tracks, with two males getting out and running in opposite directions, according to County Sheriff's Department reports.

A deputy began to chase the suspect closest to him, but lost him after he entered heavy brush.

Sheriff's police with Mokena, Frankfort, and New Lenox officers set up a perimeter. Will County K-9 and drones were deployed, but two occupants were not caught.

The car was recovered. An investigation is ongoing, New Lenox police said.