Two Chicago men have been charged with burglary, aggravated fleeing, and eluding a police officer after leading police Wednesday, May 15 on a high-speed chase reaching 120 miles per hour.
Kawann Moore, 39, of the 6000 block of South Calumet Avenue, was charged Thursday, May 16 with one count of burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer – prior conviction (Class 3 Felony) and two counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).
Moore’s co-defendant, Richard Pegue, 35, of the 3200 block of Arthington Street, was charged at the same court appearance with one count of burglary (Class 2 Felony) and two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 Felony).
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced Thursday, May 16 that DuPage County Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for two suspects.
Lombard police responded to a call about 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 at 125 S. Lombard Ave. for a burglary to a motor vehicle, where two chainsaws, valued at approximately $200 each, were stolen.
A short time later, an Oak Brook police officer located a vehicle suspected of being involved in the burglary near 31st Street and Midwest Club Parkway.
When the officer began following the vehicle, a gold minivan, the driver, later identified as Moore, reportedly began driving into oncoming traffic near 39th Street and Glendenning Road. The officer immediately activated his emergency lights and sirens at which time Moore allegedly fled from the officer.
During the pursuit, the vehicle driving by Moore reportedly reached speeds of approximately 120 mph on Interstate 55, where he nearly struck a motorcyclist, and approximately 100 mph in a 35 mph zone on Ogden Avenue, according to information from the office of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.
Moore reportedly also violated multiple traffic control devices along Ogden Avenue during the pursuit. The vehicular pursuit ended when both men allegedly exited the vehicle on foot near 80th Place and Howard Avenue in Willow Springs, which was in a school zone while children were outside for recess
Pegue was taken into custody near the school after a brief foot pursuit. Moore reportedly fled into a nearby wooded area and was taken into custody a short time later after a homeowner called 9-1-1 to report that he was holding Moore at gunpoint after he discovered Moore hiding in his backyard while his nine-year-old child was playing. Moore reportedly fled back to the wooded area where authorities apprehended him.
While searching the gold minivan, authorities found two chainsaws in the vehicle, a release said. Following an investigation into the burglary, it was alleged that Pegue stole the chainsaws from the bed of the truck, and entered the minivan driven by Moore, before both men fled the scene, according to Berlin’s office.
“The dangerous behavior allegedly exhibited by the defendants in this case is extremely alarming,” Berlin said in a statement. “The allegations that in the middle of the afternoon, these men traveled at 100 mph on a busy local road and 120 mph on the expressway, nearly hitting a motorcyclist, put the public and the officers involved at great risk.
“What I find particularly disturbing are the allegations that not only did the defendants flee on foot near a school while children were outside for recess, one of the defendants was caught in a residential backyard where a child was playing outside.”
Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said in a statement that the response to the incident, getting both offenders in custody, was nothing short of impressive.
“The officers displayed determination and a methodical process, as they maintained a challenging perimeter until they located the second offender and took him into custody,” Strockis said.
The next court appearance for both Moore and Pegue is scheduled for June 10, for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
