Bond was set Saturday at $100,000 for a Peoria woman charged with leading police on a high-speed chase July 21 after two other occupants in the vehicle reportedly stole merchandise from Nordstrom Rack, 2155 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook.
Chrischauna Smith, 22, of the 3200 Block of North Wisconsin Avenue, Peoria, was charged with one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding, a class 4 felony, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.
Jajuan Jarmon, 18, of the 7300 block of South Marshfield Avenue, Chicago, was charged with one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one count of burglary and one count of felony retail theft. His bond was set at $30,000. A juvenile was charged with one count of felony retail theft and one count of felony burglary, according to the State’s Attorney’s office.
While on routine patrol about 5 p.m. Friday at the Shops of Oak Brook, an Oak Brook police officer reportedly observed two people, wearing hoodies and surgical masks, enter a car that was reverse parked in the parking lot, approximately 100 yards from the entrance of Nordstrom Rack, according to the State’s Attorney’s office.a
It was reported by police that Jarmon and the juvenile entered the car, which quickly left the area. The officer followed the vehicle onto eastbound 22nd Street at which time the vehicle, later determined to be driven by Smith, reportedly made an illegal U-turn against a red light and sped away from the officer.
The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens and began pursuit of the vehicle, which continued to flee, reportedly at speeds of more than 115 miles per hour. Smith reportedly got onto Interstate 294, and the officer lost sight of her vehicle.
A short time later, Oak Brook officers, driving in stopped traffic on the shoulder of Interstate 290, saw the vehicle in the right lane. Smith reportedly cut off the officers and struck a squad car, causing both vehicles to go off the road.
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Smith, Jarmon and the juvenile were taken into custody at that time, and another juvenile in the vehicle fled on foot, but was taken into custody after a brief pursuit, with the Oak Brook police K9 unit assisting. This second juvenile had not been charged as of 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Following an investigation into the matter, police reported they believe Jarmon and the first juvenile entered Nordstrom Rack with empty bags, placed fragrances priced at $377.67 into the bags and left the store without paying, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.
Judge George Ford, who set bond for Smith and Jarmon, ordered at a detention hearing Sunday that the juvenile be released to the custody of his parents and be on GPS monitoring.
“This alleged fleeing and eluding is very concerning as it allegedly occurred in a very busy shopping district during rush hour,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “Once again, I fear we are pressing our luck, and it is only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or killed.
“Thankfully, no one was injured in this incident. Compounding the seriousness of this case are the allegations that two passengers in the vehicle had just stolen merchandise from Nordstrom Rack.
Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said the incident was another example of his department’s proactive policing strategies in retail sectors.
“Our undercover officers are out there daily protecting our retail areas and making significant arrests,” he said. “If you come to Oak Brook to steal, you will likely be arrested and prosecuted.”
Both Smith’s and Jarmon’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 14, for arraignment, in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.