Stolen Car, High-Speed Chase Lead To Teen's Arrest In Woodridge: PD

WOODRIDGE, IL — A teen boy faces multiple felony charges after police say he led officers on a high-speed chase after stealing a car from a 7-Eleven in Woodridge.

The boy, 17, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and unlawful use of a firearm in connection with the Jan. 4 incident.

Police were called to the 7-Eleven at 7500 Janes Ave. around 3:45 a.m. for a report that a customer's car had been stolen after they left it unlocked and running while they went into the store. Willowbrook police spotted the car shortly after in the 100 block of 75th Street and tried to pull the driver over, but police say the teen ran a red light and started driving the wrong way on Burr Ridge Parkway.

According to police, the teen got out of the car and started to run after the vehicle began to emit smoke. Officers took the teen into custody and reported finding a 9mm Ruger handgun nearby.

“It is alleged that after stealing a man’s vehicle, the juvenile suspect in this case, who is not legally entitled to possess a handgun, attempted to outrun authorities in a car and on foot only to be apprehended just minutes later,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, “This behavior is extremely dangerous and puts not only the accused, but the officers involved as well as the public at tremendous risk. Leading police on a high-speed chase is not the answer and will only make matters worse."

The teen is set to appear in court again Jan. 12.