Police Call Helicopter To Search For Missing Accused Shoplifter

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park police called in a helicopter last week to assist in searching for a woman who officials said ran from the Kohl's at Brookside Marketplace and could have been stuck in the wooded area behind the store.

Police Chief Matthew Walsh told Patch the woman was accused of shoplifting from the department store at 7500 West 191st Street early Friday evening.

After police were called to the area, they discovered the woman had left through an emergency exit at the back of the store. Authorities said they determined she could have run into the wooded area behind the store which also contains a pond.

At the time, temperatures were around freezing, so Walsh said they called in a helicopter to aid in the search. Walsh told Patch the extreme measure wasn't a result of the shoplifting, but for the woman's safety in the cold weather.

Police and the helicopter task force did not find anyone in the search. Walsh said the investigation into the robbery is ongoing.

Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Office share two helicopters as part of the Marine and Helicopter Unit. The department was given the second helicopter at the beginning of this year after a dramatic increase in carjackings prompted city officials to include it in the latest police budget.