High-speed chase results in felony arrests

Two Chicago men were arrested May 5 on felony charges after leading Hinsdale police in a high-speed chase that ended in Oak Lawn.

Metrevell Hutchinson, 21, 713 N. Ada St., and Cobie Vaughn, 20, 7830 S. Oglesby Ave., were each arrested on one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony. Hutchinson also is charged with one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, a Class 4 felony.

At about 1:25 a.m. May 5, a Hinsdale police officer saw a 2022 Jeep Compass that was reported stolen out of Glen Ellyn the day before on Lincoln Street near Center Street, according to Hinsdale Police Chief Brian King. As the officer approached the Jeep, a man later identified as Vaughn entered the front passenger seat of the car and then the car drove away, according to a press release from DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin's office. The officer began pursuit with lights and sirens activated and the Jeep, later determined to be driven by Hutchinson, continued to flee, reaching speeds in excess of 70 mph in a 35-mph zone.

A Hinsdale officer was able to successfully spike the car at Ogden Avenue and Interstate 294, according to King.

"Officers continued to follow the vehicle, which was driving without the benefit of its front tire, southbound on I-294 until the Chicago police helicopter joined the pursuit," King said. "The car became disabled in the 9500 block of South Merton in Oak Lawn where two subjects were taken into custody." That occurred about 1:46 a.m. The suspects were charged and taken to DuPage County Jail.

Hinsdale police located two additional offenders walking on foot in Hinsdale in the area of the original contact. They were left behind when the Jeep fled, King said. Those individuals have not been charged.

"There's a perception out there that the police don't pursue criminals," King said. "That's simply not true here. If you choose to commit crime in Hinsdale, we would purposefully seek your arrest. We will chase you by car, on foot, with a helicopter if necessary. We will seek charges in DuPage to the fullest extend of the law. The community's safety is of paramount importance."

King also thanked DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin for his thorough review of the case and the filing of the appropriate charges and the Chicago, Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge police departments for their assistance with the apprehension and arrests.

"I thank the Hinsdale Police Department for not only their work on this case, but also for their ongoing efforts in keeping our roadways safe as well as the Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge Police Departments for their assistance and the Chicago Police Department for air support," Berlin stated in the release.

Judge Joshua Dieden set bond Friday at $250,000 with 10 percent to apply for both suspects. Both men are scheduled to appear in court May 22.