Suspects in custody after high speed chase leads to accidents; Vehicle fleeing police side-swipes school bus, car, before crashing; five children found inside

On Friday, April 14 at approximately 2:55 p.m., a beige GMC Acadia SUV entered Elmhurst by traveling northbound on Illinois Route 83 and turning eastbound onto St. Charles Road. The vehicle was being pursued by Oak Brook and Villa Park Police Department vehicles for an incident that reportedly originated in Oak Brook.

As the GMC traveled eastbound through the intersection of St. Charles and Berkley Ave., the vehicle side-swiped a school bus in front of York High School. The school bus was only occupied by the bus driver and there were no students on board, hence no injuries were reported at this scene.

The GMC then reportedly traveled eastbound through the intersection of St. Charles and Spring Road, side-swiping a passenger vehicle. Again, no injuries resulted at this scene.

The GMC continued traveling eastbound on St. Charles Road and struck the rear of a passenger vehicle near Argyle Avenue.  At that time, both vehicles came to a rest on the parkway and police officers immediately took an adult male and an adult female into custody from the GMC.

As this incident occurred in close proximity to York High School, the school was briefly placed on lockdown for the security of the building and the safety of the students until the scene was secured.

The Elmhurst Fire Department responded to the scene, where several vehicle occupants had minor injuries, resulting from the final traffic crash scene at St. Charles and Argyle. Elmhurst Paramedics and several mutual aid agency ambulances transported ten patients to three area hospitals for treatment.

The GMC was occupied by two adult males, one adult female, and five children.  The vehicle struck by the GMC at St. Charles and Argyle was occupied by two adults.

St. Charles Road was closed between Spring Road and York Road until approximately 4:15 p.m. while Elmhurst police officers and evidence technicians conducted traffic crash investigations.  Elmhurst police units did not initiate this vehicle pursuit, however they did respond to the three incident scenes.

On Monday, April 17, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced that bond had been set for the three individuals in the vehicle, who stand accused of stealing merchandise from the Oak Brook T.J. Maxx store, located in the Shops of Oak Brook.

Charges filed

Those charged include Russell Miller, 24, of the 9000 block of S. Brandon Avenue, Chicago; Zhane Ball, 28, of Iowa City, Iowa; and Xavier Miller, 28, of the 8300 block of S. Baker, Chicago. Bond was set at $350,000 for Russell Miller; $200,000 for Ball and $150,000 for Xavier Miller. All three defendants are charged with one count of felony burglary (Class 2), one count of felony retail theft (Class 3), two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer (Class 4 felony) and five counts of misdemeanor endangering the health or life of a child.

  According to the State’s Attorney’s report, on April 14, at approximately 2:48 p.m., officers with the Oak Brook Police Department allegedly observed a GMC Acadia, driven by Russell Miller, parked in the aisle of a parking lot at the Shops at Oak Brook. It is alleged that a short time later, the officers observed two individuals, later identified as Xavier Miller and Ball, exit the T.J. Maxx store, place some items in the Acadia, and then enter the vehicle which quickly fled from the parking lot headed eastbound on 22nd Street. It is alleged that as officers followed, the Acadia made a sudden U-turn and drove through a red light at which time the officers activated their emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop. It is alleged that the Acadia initially stopped for officers, but as officers approached the vehicle on foot, the Acadia fled. It is further alleged that the Acadia led officers on a high-speed pursuit reaching speeds in excess of 75 mph in a 45-mph zone. It is further alleged that the pursuit continued near York High School as students were being released for the day and that Miller sideswiped a school bus, lost control and crashed into another car. All three defendants were taken into custody at this time.

At the scene of the crash, officers learned that there were five children in the Acadia ranging in age from two months to ten years. Following an investigation, it is further alleged that Xavier Miller and Ball entered the T.J. Maxx store, selected shoes, socks and handbags totaling approximately $1,702 and left the store without paying for the items.

  The next court appearance for all three defendants is scheduled for Monday, May 8, for arraignment.

   Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt.