Retail Theft Leads to High-Speed Pursuit

Two women from Chicago, Shawanda Outlaw, 38, and Destiny Jackson, 27, are facing serious charges after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase following a retail theft. Both women were on pretrial release for previous theft-related charges when the incident occurred. According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, they have been charged with burglary, retail theft, and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer.

Details of the Alleged Theft

The Oak Brook Police Department responded to a burglary and retail theft report at 12:30 p.m. on Monday. Officers reviewed security footage with a loss prevention officer, which allegedly showed Outlaw and Jackson selecting 18 items of clothing valued at $1,674. The pair reportedly entered a fitting room where they concealed the clothing by layering it on their bodies before leaving the store without payment.

High-Speed Chase Through Oak Brook

Later that day, an Oak Brook police officer identified the suspects in a blue Nissan. When the officer attempted a traffic stop using emergency lights and sirens, Jackson allegedly accelerated away at high speed. The chase involved dangerous maneuvers, including swerving through traffic and driving into oncoming lanes near a hospital. Despite reaching speeds of up to 82 mph, the officer could not overtake the vehicle until assistance from the Chicago Police Department helped box in the Nissan on Interstate 290.

Legal Proceedings and Implications

Following their arrest, Outlaw appeared in court where her pretrial release was contested due to pending cases involving theft from other stores. Judges Daniel Guerin and Mia McPherson granted motions to revoke her release. Jackson, who is on parole for aggravated battery and retail theft from 2023, had her pretrial detention granted by Judge Joshua Dieden.

Impact of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin criticized the alleged actions of Outlaw and Jackson as undermining the justice system. He highlighted concerns about repeat offenders being released under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, which limits judicial discretion in certain cases. The Act’s abolition of cash bail has been controversial but was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court, making Illinois the first state to eliminate cash bail entirely.