Man Arrested in Clarendon Hills Retail Theft After Chase

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – A Chicago man accused of stealing more than $300 worth of alcohol from Clarendon Hills' Jewel grocery store was arrested last week, authorities said.

Early Friday evening, Oak Brook officers saw a black Toyota Camry suspected of being involved in the Clarendon Hills theft, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors.

They tried to stop the car at Route 83 and St. Charles Road, but the driver, identified as 43-year-old Michael Howard, sped away, police said.

Howard weaved through traffic while traveling up to 76 mph, the release said. For a time, police ended the search because of safety concerns.

Shortly after, Howard was seen on Interstate 290, where Berkeley officers tried to stop him.

Howard then drove into oncoming traffic and struck a Lexus head on, police said. Authorities did not say whether anyone was injured.

After the crash, Howard ran away, but was caught moments later, police said.

Authorities said they found the proceeds from the retail theft at Jewel inside Howard's car.

Howard told officers that he did not believe police should chase him across town boundaries, according to the news release.

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin disputed that comment.

"While criminals do not recognize town boundaries, law enforcement in DuPage County enjoys an outstanding relationship with our surrounding communities and, with their assistance, will pursue anyone accused of breaking the law until they are taken into custody," Berlin said in a statement.

Howard was charged with one count of burglary, two counts of retail theft and one count of aggravated fleeing from an officer, all felonies.

Howard is on probation for stealing 26 bottles of liquor from Jewel in Elmhurst on March 15 and $837 worth of alcohol from Mariano's in Lombard on April 17, police said.

DuPage County Judge Bryan Chapman ordered Howard to stay in jail until his trial.