DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Tom Wirsing have announced that bond has been set for a pair of individuals accused of leading police on a high-speed chase after allegedly stealing merchandise from the Lombard Walgreens located in the 300 block of W. St. Charles Road.
Kionna Kemp, 23, and Devan Flax, 19, both of Chicago, each appeared at a bond hearing where Judge Brian Telander set bond at $25,000 with 10 percent to apply for Kemp and at $100,000 with 10 percent to apply for Flax.
Kemp is charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding (Class 4 felony) and Flax is charged with one count of burglary (Class 2 felony).
On July 19 at approximately 1:11 p.m., officers with the Lombard Police Department responded to a call of a burglary that had just occurred at the Walgreens. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Flax entered the Walgreens and went to the pharmacy. It is alleged that Flax jumped over the counter at the pharmacy, broke a cabinet containing pharmaceuticals and stole nearly 8,000 tablets of Xanax, Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen and Codeine.
It is further alleged that Flax then left the store and entered a car driven by Kemp. While checking the area for the vehicle, it is alleged that an officer located a green Jeep driven by Kemp. It is alleged that when the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, Kemp failed to stop. It is alleged that Kemp disobeyed multiple stop signs and traffic control devices and was traveling at times in excess of 95 mph. It is further alleged that Kemp drove southbound on Route 53 away from the officer ultimately making her way to the eastbound I-290 ramp where the vehicle was disabled using spike strips deployed by the Oak Brook Police Department.
It is alleged that the vehicle continued to travel on the ramp until it was blocked in traffic and forced to stop. The defendants were taken into custody at this time.
“This most recent case of fleeing from the police is extremely disturbing as it occurred in the middle of the afternoon along residential streets and major thoroughfares through the county,” Berlin said. “To make matters worse, it is alleged that the passenger in the fleeing vehicle had just stolen thousands of prescription narcotics from a local pharmacy. Thankfully, no innocent motorists or pedestrians were injured or killed.
“I thank the Lombard Police Department for their efforts on this case and for their ongoing efforts in keeping our roadways safe, as well as the Oak Brook Police Department for their assistance.”
“I would like to thank the men and women of the Lombard Police Department along with our fellow officers from Oak Brook, Villa Park, Elmhurst and Hillside for bringing these offenders to justice,” Wirsing said.
The next court appearance for Kemp is scheduled Aug. 15. Flax’s next court appearance is scheduled Aug. 16. Both cases will be in front of Judge Telander.
