Man charged after $100K heist in Chicago suburb, police search for others

VERNON HILLS, Ill. - A Chicago man has been charged after an early morning cargo theft and aggravated robbery early Thursday at the CDW complex in Vernon Hills.

At least six suspects are still at large.

What we know:

Officers responded to the complex shortly after 1 a.m. at 200 N. Milwaukee Ave., after a truck driver reported masked people stealing cargo from a trailer in a secured area.

When the driver confronted them, he was battered and threatened with a gun that was implied but not shown, according to Vernon Hills police.

The suspects fled in three vehicles which were later spotted traveling eastbound on I-94. A Glencoe police officer tried to stop them, but they continued to drive away.

Police followed the group until one of the vehicles, a gray Chrysler Pacifica, crashed in the 5400 block of South Wells Street in Chicago. The driver, later identified as Patrick Mitchell, 40, of Chicago, was taken into custody without injury, while a passenger fled and remains at large. The other vehicles were not located.

Authorities said the suspects targeted computer equipment, and most of the stolen items — valued at more than $100,000 — were recovered from the crashed vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing.

Mitchell has been charged with one felony count of theft and a felony count of burglary. The burglary charge carries a sentence between six and 30 years in prison.

What you can do:

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at (847) 362-4449 or email pdtips@vhills.org.