A multi-suburb police chase of masked burglary suspects inside a minivan overnight ended with a car crash in Chicago, with video capturing the harrowing moments the vehicle sped down the busy Kennedy Expressway followed by police sirens.
At least one person was taken into custody, with others still at large and an investigation ongoing.
The incident began about 1 a.m. in Vernon Hills, with police investigating a cargo theft and aggravated robbery in the CDW complex, at 200 N. Milwaukee Ave.
According to the Vernon Hills Police Department, a truck driver saw a group of masked men removing cargo from a trailer parked in a secure area of the complex. When he confronted them, the suspects attacked him and threatened him with a firearm, police said.
The masked men then fled the scene in three separate vehicles, driving eastbound on I-94 from Townline Road.
A short time later, the Glencoe Public Safety Department saw the caravan of cars driving eastbound on I-94 and attempted to stop them. Officers continued to follow the cars until one of them, a gray Chrysler Pacifica, crashed the 5400 block of South Wells Street in Chicago, police said.
The driver of the Chrysler minivan was taken into custody, police said, and a passenger remains at-large. The other vehicles and suspects were not located.
Video and photos overnight captured part of the chase, with a dark-colored minivan speeding down the Kennedy Expressway near Division. Video also showed the minivan crashed near 54th and Wells Streets in Chicago, with heavy damage to the rear.
Officers from ISP and Glencoe Public Safety could be seen inspecting the crashed minivan, pointing flashlights at multiple packages inside.
According to Vernon Hills police, computer equipment was targeted in the theft, with the majority of them found inside the crashed minivan and recovered. The preliminary value of the items stolen is over $100,000 police said. CDW did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.
Charges were pending against the suspect in custody, police said, and an investigation remains ongoing.
