Man accused of leading police on high-speed chase in Villa Park: prosecutors

A Cook County man accused of leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle will remain in jail after a motion was approved July 22 to detain him pretrial, prosecutors said.

Jeremiah Funches, 21, appeared in First Appearance Court charged with one count of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, one count of burglary and two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office news release.

Funches also is charged with multiple misdemeanor traffic offenses including one count of driving under the influence and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle, according to the release.

On July 21, Elmhurst police responded to Kohl’s, 303 S. Illinois Route 83, for a report of a retail theft. Loss prevention personnel told police that a man, later identified as Funches, allegedly entered the store about 10:37 a.m., selected an Adidas backpack, placed clothing into the backpack and left the store without paying for the merchandise, authorities said.

After leaving the store, Funches allegedly entered a 2013 Kia Sorento reported stolen out of La Salle County and fled. About 11:48 a.m., Elmhurst police received information that the Kia was in the area and alerted surrounding police departments, according to the release.

Villa Park police found the Kia near Villa Avenue and St. Charles Road and tried to conduct a traffic stop. Instead of stopping, Funches fled police at a high rate of speed, ignored multiple stop signs along Villa Avenue and reached speeds of about 90 mph in a 25-mph zone, according to the release.

As Funches turned west onto Roosevelt Road, he crashed into another vehicle but did not stop and continued fleeing on Roosevelt Road reaching speeds of about 78 mph in a 35-mph zone. He then crashed into a wooden ComEd utility pole and was arrested, authorities said.

“Like so many before him, Mr. Funches allegedly tried to outrun the police instead of simply pulling over,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “Speeding through a residential area in the middle of a summer afternoon, as alleged in this case, is a direct threat to the lives of countless innocent pedestrians, including children enjoying their summer break. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County.”

Funches’ next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 18 for arraignment.