5 charged in theft of $30,000 in Amazon merchandise after 13-mile police chase

Five people, including two Chicago men, were charged after a chase that began in far southwest Channahon — where they allegedly stole more than $30,000 in Amazon merchandise — ended 13 miles away in Joliet late Wednesday.

Raequan T. Williams of Harvey; Shaquetta M. Capps and Aqeel S. Bell of South Holland; Stephaun L. Dennis of Chicago; and Malcom J. Meeks of Chicago were charged with theft, resisting or obstructing a peace officer and aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude peace officers. Capps was also wanted on a warrant.

Witnesses called officers around 11:10 a.m. reporting that six to seven people were taking large boxes from an Amazon facility at 23714 Amoco Road, Channahon police said.

As responding officers arrived, a U-Haul van and silver SUV were seen speeding away, leading to a pursuit in the northbound lanes of Interstate 55, police said.

One officer successfully deployed tire deflation devices on the U-Haul and flattened its driver-side tires nearby — just north of U.S. 6, officials said.

But officers continued to follow the U-Haul — nearly 12 miles — until it became inoperable and two suspects in the U-Haul were taken into custody on Interstate 80 near Briggs Street near Joliet.

The silver SUV also continued fleeing police, but officers were able to deflate its tires and disable it when it took the same exit as the U-Haul, authorities said. Four suspects ran from the SUV, three of whom were taken into custody. One suspect remains at large.

The suspects who are in custody are between 23 and 31 years old and are scheduled to appear for a detention hearing at the Will County courthouse.

Channahon police continue to investigate.