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Two Women on Pretrial Release Allegedly Lead Police on High-Speed Chase After Retail Theft
Authorities reported that two individuals from Chicago instigated a high-speed pursuit following a retail theft incident while they were already on pretrial release for previous theft-related offenses.
According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, 38-year-old Shawanda Outlaw and 27-year-old Destiny Jackson face charges of burglary, retail theft, and two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer.
The Theft Incident
On Monday afternoon, Oak Brook Police received a call regarding a burglary at a retail store. When officers arrived around 12:30 p.m., they began reviewing security footage of the incident.
Initial conversations with the store’s loss prevention officer revealed that Outlaw and Jackson selected 18 items of clothing valued at $1,674. After entering a fitting room, they allegedly concealed the merchandise by layering it on their bodies and exited the store without payment.
High-Speed Chase Initiated
Later that day, an Oak Brook Police officer spotted Jackson and Outlaw driving a blue Nissan. The officer activated emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop. However, the driver, identified as Jackson, accelerated instead.
During the ensuing chase, Jackson reached remarkable speeds, swerving through traffic and utilizing the shoulder of the road to overtake vehicles. She even drove into oncoming traffic near a hospital in a dangerous attempt to evade capture.
Pursuit and Arrest
Police reported that the officer reached speeds up to 82 mph in an effort to catch up with the Nissan, but Jackson continued to lead the chase. Eventually, she maneuvered onto Interstate 290, where assistance from the Chicago Police Department allowed her vehicle to be boxed in.
During the pursuit, it was alleged that both suspects discarded stolen merchandise out of the car windows. Ultimately, police apprehended Jackson and Outlaw at the scene.
Subsequent Court Proceedings
Following the incident, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office disclosed that Outlaw appeared in court on Monday. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the court denied the request to detain her pretrial.
However, shortly after, the state filed motions to revoke Outlaw’s pretrial release due to pending theft cases involving similar offenses at two other retail stores. Judges Daniel Guerin and Mia McPherson granted the state’s motions for revocation.
Jackson, currently on parole for aggravated battery against a police officer and retail theft, was also serving pretrial release for another retail theft from earlier this year.
During her pretrial hearing that afternoon, Judge Joshua Dieden approved the state’s request to detain Jackson pretrial.
Implications of the Criminal Activity
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin criticized Outlaw and Jackson for their blatant disregard for the legal system, suggesting that they treated their pretrial release as an opportunity for further criminal activity.
Berlin stated that the duo’s actions not only endangered police officers but also other drivers and pedestrians during the high-speed chase. He emphasized the need for revisions to Illinois’ Safe-T-Act to give judges more authority at First Appearance Court.
He pointed out the increasing frequency of repeat offenders being granted pretrial release due to limitations imposed by the Act, which inhibits judges from using their discretion in specific cases.
The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, effective on January 1, 2023, introduced major reforms to Illinois’ criminal justice system. It aimed to provide greater freedoms to defendants while reclassifying certain felonies as misdemeanors and abolishing cash bail statewide.
Controversies and Reforms
The most debated aspect of the SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail, faced legal scrutiny, but the Illinois Supreme Court eventually upheld the changes. The ruling took effect on September 18, 2023, making Illinois the first state to completely abolish cash bail.
Next Court Appearances
As the legal proceedings advance, Jackson is due in court on August 11, while Outlaw is set for a hearing on August 26. The outcome of these court dates will be critical in determining the future of both women amidst the existing charges and prior offenses.
