Man Steals State Police squad car, leads cops on chase, destroys squad car
By Mike Lyons, Journal writer - 01/21/97

PEOTONE, IL - A drunk driver, collared after a high speed police chase 
on I-57 early today, managed to free himself from custody, 
steal a state police squad car and continue his flight.

But the harrowing pursuit, which reached speeds estimated at 110 mph, 
ended when the dissipated, desperado rolled the state squad car near 
Peotone.

The incident began when a state trooper from the Chicago district 
spotted a Ford Taurus which checked out as stolen.

That trooper, joined by state police at Joliet and two Oak Forest 
squad cars, pursued the stolen car down I-57.

The desperado exited at Manteno, and police soon boxed in the elusive 
Taurus with squad cars in front, behind and alongside.

But the driver managed to break out of the "running blockade" and 
head back toward 1-57, ramming a Manteno Squad car in the driver's 
side in the process.

That squad was being driven by officer Bernie Christenson who sustained 
upper body injuries in the collision.

Manteno Police Chief Jim Greenstreet said Christenson was checked out 
at Riverside Medical Center then released late this morning.

No sooner had the Taurus rammed the Manteno squad when an Oak Forest 
squad rammed it from behind in an attempt to halt the escape.

It did. The action by the Oak Forest officer caused the Taurus to spin 
into the median and stall.

The 27-year-old Chicago driver was handcuffed, then seat belted and locked 
into the front passenger seat of an Astikuni State Police squad car.

The trooper and other police turned their attention to apprehending his 
24-year-old passenger.

But as that was taking place, the drunk driver managed to free himself 
from the seatbelt, wiggle through his handcuffs so that his hands were 
in front of him, then speed away in the squad car.

The chase was on again. This time northbound on I-57.

But near Peotene, the fleeing felon lost control of the squad car on 
an icy patch. The car slashed through the snowy median then rolled over, 
coming to rest in the southbound lanes and blocking both southbound 
lanes.

The driver was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment of injuries.

No report of his condition was available at press time.

Officer Christenson was taken to Riverside Medical Center for treatment 
of head injuries.

Police declined to name the two men arrested, noting that positive 
identification of the duo is still pending.

Tentatively, they are charged with aggravated fleeing and attempting 
to elude police, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated assault 
which stems from their ramming of a squad car, and driving under the 
influence. Police said additional charges may follow.

The state squad car was destroyed in the incident.

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