Two women are facing felony charges following a retail theft at a Naperville apparel store and a subsequent high-speed vehicle pursuit that spanned multiple interstate highways before ending with the deployment of spike strips, prosecutors said.
Arterria Lipsey, 32, and Shataya Connor, 28, were taken into law enforcement custody following the October 19 incident. According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, the sequence of events began at approximately 7:15 p.m. at the Alo Yoga store located at 19 W. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Naperville. Investigators stated that the two women entered the business, selected various clothing items valued at a total of $1,694, and exited without paying.
Naperville police officers responded to the location following reports of the retail theft. Shortly afterward, an Elmhurst police officer spotted the suspects traveling eastbound on Interstate 290 inside a black Dodge Durango, with Lipsey behind the wheel, according to prosecutors.
Authorities stated that the Elmhurst officer activated emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, but Lipsey allegedly refused to pull over and accelerated, reaching speeds of 82 mph. Citing safety concerns, the initial officer terminated the pursuit, which was subsequently picked up by Hillside police before the Elmhurst officer rejoined the operation, prosecutors said.
The multi-agency vehicle pursuit ultimately concluded on southbound Interstate 294 after the fleeing Durango drove over spike strips that had been deployed across the roadway by Oak Brook police. Lipsey was taken into custody at the scene.
Following the arrest, prosecutors filed formal charges. Lipsey appeared in court on Tuesday morning facing one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony; one count of retail theft, a Class 3 felony; one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding, a Class 4 felony; alongside multiple misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses. Her alleged accomplice, Connor, was charged with one count each of burglary and retail theft.
Legal outcomes differed during Tuesday morning’s court hearings. Connor was released on her own recognizance, with her next court appearance scheduled for November 10. Lipsey, however, was ordered detained by the court until her upcoming appearance, which is set for November 16.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin issued a stern statement following the court proceedings, emphasizing the gravity of the alleged flight from law enforcement.
“In DuPage County, you cannot simply enter a local business, help yourself to nearly seventeen hundred dollars’ worth of merchandise, walk out without paying, and expect to get away with it,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly upsetting in this case is the allegation that Arterria Lipsey, who was driving the getaway car, then led police on a dangerous high-speed chase, putting the officers involved and countless innocent motorists at great risk.”
Berlin added that no innocent motorists were injured during the pursuit and reiterated warnings regarding law enforcement responses to fleeing vehicles. “Once again, I remind the motoring public, if you hear sirens and see flashing lights behind you, pull over. If you do not, we will use every tool at our disposal to apprehend you, including assistance from other agencies, as in this case.”
