Hinsdale Cops Stop Burglary Suspects

HINSDALE, IL — Two Hinsdale dealerships were broken into about the same time early Monday, with police encountering one person with a gun, according to a report. Two people were arrested after a brief chase.

About 2:30 a.m., Hinsdale police responded to a burglar alarm at Land Rover Hinsdale, 336 E. Ogden Ave., according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. Officers found a broken window in an overhead garage. Shortly after, they were called to an alarm at Continental Motor Sports a block away at 420 E. Ogden Ave.

At Continental, officers found a broken window and a running 2018 red Ferrari convertible, valued at more than $250,000, driven outside the service bay into a rear lot, police said.

Police encountered a person with a crowbar next to the padlock on the rear gate. The person ran and entered a nearby car, speeding away, according to the news release.

A Hinsdale squad car then pushed into the suspect's car and disabled it, with three people getting out and leaving on foot, the news release said. One of them, a juvenile, left the car with a gun in his hand, police said.

After a brief chase, the juvenile and RaJohn Stewart, 24, of Country Club Hills, were taken into custody, police said. Searching the area, officers found a 9mm pistol and a 30-round extended 9mm magazine, according to the news release.

A fourth person was in Continental's rear lot and ran away when officers arrived, police said. The suspect car was stolen in Chicago on May 9, the news release said.

"Car thieves have gotten more brazen in their attempts and continue to thumb their nose at the law," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release. "In fact, the juvenile charged today currently has multiple pending felony cases against him. I want to warn any would-be car thieves that in DuPage County we do not tolerate this type of behavior and will prosecute anyone suspected of such to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of their age."

Police Chief Brian King said he appreciated the professionalism and restraint of the officers from Hinsdale and Oak Brook.

"Once cornered by the police, this young man exited the stolen auto with a firearm in his hand and ignored an officer’s lawful orders to comply," King said in the release. "This could have resulted in a tragic outcome."

Stewart and the juvenile were charged with felony aggravated unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, two felony counts of burglary, two felony counts of attempted unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle and two misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property.

Stewart's bond was set at $250,000.