A suburban woman and a Chicago man are facing felony charges for allegedly stealing merchandise from two DuPage County stores and fleeing police in separate incidents just hours apart last week.
Jehnyejah Moore, 22, of Woodridge, has been charged with retail theft (a Class 3 felony) and aggravated running and eluding a police officer (a Class 4 felony).
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According to prosecutors, Oak Brook police were dispatched to the Nordstrom at Oakbrook Center about 2:07 p.m. on Feb. 10 for a theft in progress. While responding, authorities saw a white Chevrolet Equinox believed to be involved in the incident driving west on I-88.
When an officer attempted a traffic stop, Moore allegedly sped away, reaching speeds of around 112 mph before the officer called off the pursuit for safety reasons.
Police later went to Moore’s house, where she surrendered without incident.
Moore allegedly entered Nordstrom, selected several items, including SKIMS underwear and T-shirts, removed anti-theft sensors in a fitting room, and fled without paying. A loss prevention officer retrieved the majority of the merchandise outside the store, with the exception of one packet of SKIMS, before Moore drove away.
She appeared in court the next day, and a judge ordered her to remain in detention pending trial.
In a separate case, 32-year-old Jrlani Williams of Chicago has been charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and multiple misdemeanor counts such as retail theft, resisting a police officer, and driving with a suspended license.
Around 5:18 p.m., Elmhurst cops responded to Kohl’s on South Route 83 for reports of a theft in progress.
According to prosecutors, Williams parked his white Jaguar F-Type in a handicap place near the door, went inside, and took a Ninja blender and an electric griddle before disconnecting the blender’s anti-theft sensor and placing the items in a shopping cart at the front entrance.
When authorities arrived at the store, they placed a stop stick under one of the Jaguar’s rear tires and began to monitor the vehicle. When Williams left the business and got into his car, authorities told him to get out. Instead, he allegedly ran over the stop sign, puncturing a back tire and fleeing.
Police later discovered the Jaguar abandoned in a ditch near York Street and Butterfield Road. Officers saw Williams hiding in a grove of trees and apprehended him after a brief foot chase, according to prosecutors.
A judge also ordered Williams’ detention awaiting trial.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin stated that the judge’s decision to deny pretrial release sends a message that the county will not tolerate the alleged behavior in these cases.
“We are an extremely welcoming community, but I want to emphasize that we are welcoming only to those who obey the law,” Berlin said in a statement.
Moore is due back in court on February 17. Williams is set to appear on March 9.
