Oak Brook police spike strips deflated three tires on a stolen Dodge Charger during a chase that hit 93 mph on Interstate 390 early Oct. 23.
The pursuit spanned multiple jurisdictions before ending in Elmhurst, where officers arrested Antonio Hernandez, 20, of the 3200 block of Clarence Avenue in Berwyn. He is charged with one count each of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, according to a DuPage County State's Attorney's Office news release reported by Shaw Local. A judge denied pre-trial release, and Hernandez will remain in custody at least until his next court date, Nov. 16.
The chase began about 4:10 a.m. when Hanover Park police spotted a gray Dodge Charger and an Infiniti SUV traveling eastbound on Lake Street at a high rate of speed, according to the release. The Charger, later determined to be driven by Hernandez, crossed into the westbound lane. An officer made a U-turn and got behind it.
Hernandez allegedly ran a red light at Lake Street and Barrington Road, then entered eastbound I-390. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but Hernandez kept driving, reaching approximately 93 mph. The officer ended the pursuit, authorities said.
The Charger, reported stolen out of Elgin around 4 a.m. that morning, soon reached the I-290/294 split. Elmhurst police spotted it and followed as it ran over spike strips deployed by Oak Brook police, deflating three tires.
Hernandez kept going. He drove on three flat tires onto the 17th Street ramp off I-290, left the vehicle and ran. Police arrested him after a brief foot chase at about 4:25 a.m.
After searching the Charger, police found a cord and a vehicle/key fob re-programmer, according to the release. Officers obtained a search warrant for the Infiniti, which was determined to be owned by Hernandez. Inside they allegedly found multiple blank key fobs for re-programming, a screwdriver and a knife with a window punch.
Elmhurst Police Chief Michael McLean said in the release that he was "incredibly grateful for the seamless collaboration between DuPage County agencies" in the arrest.
The incident marks at least the second time in recent weeks that Oak Brook police have used spike strips to help end a multi-jurisdictional pursuit. Earlier in October, Oak Brook officers deployed spike strips on southbound I-294 to disable a vehicle fleeing after a Naperville yoga store burglary, according to Patch.
