Villa Park, Illinois – Four women from Cook County are facing charges after allegedly stealing over $1,400 worth of merchandise from the Burlington store in Villa Park, culminating in a high-speed car chase and foot pursuit, according to authorities.
Details of the Theft and Pursuit
The incident occurred just before noon on Monday, December 22, when Villa Park police were called to the Burlington store at 174 Roosevelt Road regarding a suspected retail theft.
Officers located the suspects’ vehicle, a red Nissan, as it was leaving the parking lot. When an officer approached on foot, the driver, identified as 23-year-old Deondra McReynolds, allegedly sped off at a high rate of speed, initiating a dangerous chase.
Dangerous Driving During Chase
Prosecutors report that McReynolds ignored multiple stop signs, twice drove into oncoming traffic to bypass slower-moving vehicles, and reached a top speed of 113 mph. The chase continued eastbound onto Interstate 290, where authorities temporarily ended pursuit for safety reasons.
Assistance from Oak Brook police and a Chicago police helicopter eventually located the Nissan in an alley in Chicago. Officers spotted the suspects with bags of stolen merchandise, and after a brief foot chase, all four women were taken into custody.
Charges Filed
The suspects face multiple charges:
- Deondra McReynolds, 23 – burglary, retail theft, and two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer. A judge has ordered that she remain in jail awaiting trial.
- Heaven E. Cannon-Triplett, 22, Fontazia A. Rodriguez, 30, and Tandalaya Z. Pettis, 26 – burglary and retail theft. They have been released from jail.
The total value of the allegedly stolen merchandise is reported at $1,472.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin condemned the actions, stating:
“The allegations that Ms. McReynolds sped down Roosevelt Road, one of the busiest roads in the County, in the middle of the afternoon during the busy holiday shopping season at approximately 100 m.p.h. are outrageous. Ms. McReynolds’ alleged actions endangered not only her life and the lives of her passengers, but also the lives of the officers involved and countless innocent motorists and pedestrians.”
Next Steps in the Case
All four suspects are scheduled to appear in court on January 20, 2026, for further proceedings. Authorities are continuing to review the incident and encourage the public to report any similar retail theft or dangerous driving incidents in the area.
What are your thoughts on this high-speed holiday theft? Do you think stricter penalties are needed for holiday retail crimes and dangerous driving, or are current laws sufficient? Share your opinion in the comments below and join the conversation about safety in Villa Park.
