Wilmette Police Catch Suspected Thieves Hiding In Tree Line

WILMETTE, IL — Wilmette police arrested two suspected tool thieves after a brief pursuit that ended on the I-94 expressway this week, authorities announced Friday.

The Wilmette Police Department responded to a report of a burglary in-progress of a work van where tools were being stolen just before 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Before officers arrived, the suspects fled in a silver 2023 Nissan Rogue and were located as they entered the on-ramp to southbound I-94 from West Lake Avenue.

"The vehicle accelerated, lost control, and was involved in a single car crash on the entrance ramp. The offenders then exited the vehicle and ran eastbound across the expressway," Wilmette police said in a statement.

The suspects — later identified as Dalvin D. Johnson, 31 of Waukegan, and Willie E. Brown, 36 of Chicago — were found hiding among the tree line along the Edens northbound off-ramp. Officers took both men into custody without incident, authorities said.

Police said the tools taken from the work van were found in the suspects' vehicle and were returned to the owner.

One suspect was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash before he was released back into police custody. Both men were processed and released with a notice to appear at the Skokie Courthouse on Friday.

Johnson was charged with burglary to a motor vehicle, felony theft and resisting arrest. Brown was charged with burglary to a motor vehicle, felony theft, resisting arrest and eluding arrest.