Authorities say a DeKalb man on electronic monitoring turned a Willowbrook Target run into a rolling crime scene across DuPage County, leaving officers to chase a stolen pickup loaded with thousands of dollars in merchandise.
Prosecutors allege Michael Addison, 39, walked out of the Target in the 7600 block of Kingery Highway with high-value goods, then jumped into a stolen 2023 Ford Maverick and took off. The multi-agency pursuit headed north on Route 83, onto I-88, and then south on I-294 before the truck crashed near the York Road exit. Investigators say Addison briefly ran on foot before officers caught up with him. No injuries were reported, and Addison remains in custody ahead of a Feb. 2 court date, according to prosecutors.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, prosecutors said Addison was already on electronic monitoring and had an outstanding warrant when officers spotted him around 8:12 p.m., sprinting from the Willowbrook Target at 7601 Kingery Highway. The state’s attorney’s office alleges he carried two garbage cans out of the store, then used them to haul about $2,642 worth of pharmaceuticals and personal-care items into the reportedly stolen Ford Maverick. Crest Hill police and other nearby agencies then joined the chase as the truck crossed city lines and hit the interstate.
What officials said
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin did not mince words about the incident. He called the chain of alleged crimes "a complete disregard for public safety," according to FOX 32 Chicago. Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis added that "heavily armed habitual offenders fleeing in stolen vehicles are far more serious than property crimes," underscoring why local chiefs say they are increasingly alarmed by high-speed retail-theft getaways.
Prosecutors and police brass also pointed to the quick work between departments, saying tight radio coordination and shared tactics helped prevent injuries and bring the pursuit to a controlled stop.
How the chase ended
Oak Brook officers tried to end the pursuit by laying down a spike strip near the I-88 exit, but prosecutors say the driver pressed on to I-294 before crashing near the York Road exit. After a short foot chase, Addison was taken into custody.
Officers then found two loaded handguns on the floorboard of the pickup, according to prosecutors: a Smith & Wesson .38 and a Canik 9mm. Addison now faces a slate of felony charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, retail theft, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon without a FOID card.
Where this fits locally
DuPage County prosecutors have repeatedly warned this winter about high-dollar retail thefts that spin into dangerous pursuits in suburban shopping hubs. For more on recent cases and how local authorities are responding, see DuPage retail theft arrests. Officials say tools such as spike strips, coordinated radio channels, and license-plate readers are showing up more often on the streets as they try to stop fleeing suspects while limiting risk to bystanders.
Charges and next steps
Prosecutors say Addison will stay in custody at least until his next DuPage County court appearance on Feb. 2. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office provided these details to local media as investigators continue processing evidence and preparing formal charging documents.
At the upcoming hearing, officials say arraignment paperwork and any bail decisions will clarify the full list of counts he faces and what conditions would apply if he is eventually released pending trial.
