A 14-year-old boy has been charged after police say he led officers on a high-speed chase through Oak Brook in a reportedly stolen Toyota. The pursuit cut through residential streets and onto Butterfield Road before officers were able to stop the vehicle; officials say the teen was later found hiding in a backyard shed. A judge ordered him released on home detention ahead of his next court date on April 9, 2026.
According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, an Oak Brook officer first spotted a Toyota stopped past the white boundary line and edging toward the middle of the Route 83 and Hodges Road intersection. Prosecutors say that when the officer walked up to the passenger side, the driver hit the gas and took off, with officers following the car at about 70 mph along Butterfield Road.
The Oak Brook Police Department lists a K-9 unit among its patrol resources, and prosecutors say that team helped track down the juvenile hiding in a shed in the 800 block of Saylor Avenue. Officials reported that the Toyota was abandoned with significant tire and wheel damage, and the State's Attorney's Office says three other juveniles are also facing charges that remain pending.
Charges, release, and what officials said
Per the State's Attorney's Office, the 14-year-old is charged with aggravated fleeing or eluding a peace officer, a Class 4 felony, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony. After a detention hearing, Judge Kishori Tank ordered the youth released on home detention and set his next appearance for April 9, 2026. State's Attorney Robert Berlin reminded the public that "driving is a privilege, not a right," and Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said that "another stolen vehicle entered Oak Brook with dangerous intent, ultimately leading to an arrest."
Why prosecutors are pushing hard
Prosecutors and Oak Brook police have pointed to a run of recent thefts and fast getaways in DuPage County, arguing that chases tied to stolen vehicles create serious risks for everyone on the road. For background on similar cases and the county's response, see Suburban Chase Ends With Chicago Man.
What to watch next
The State's Attorney's Office emphasized that the complaint contains only allegations and is not proof of guilt; the teen's case will move forward in juvenile court. Authorities say they are still investigating the roles of the other juveniles and reviewing any evidence recovered from the vehicle and the scene ahead of the April 9 hearing.
