DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that bond has been set for two Cook County men accused of stealing perfume from an Oak Brook Ulta Beauty store located at 2155 22nd Street. Kovadis Stewert, 29 (d.o.b. 7/10/1993) of the 5900 block of Paulina Street, Chicago, and Antwan Davis, 46 (d.o.b. 12/12/1976) of the 1600 block of S. St. Louis, Chicago each appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Brian Telander set bond at $50,000 with 10% to apply for both men. Both defendants are charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Retail Theft (Class 4 Felony). Additionally, Stewert is charged with one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding (Class 4 Felony).
On March 23, 2023, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Oak Brook police responded to the Ulta Beauty store for a call for a retail theft. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Davis entered the store alone and went directly to the fragrance section, removed a tote bag he had brought with him and filled it with nine fragrances, valued at $1,250.27. It is alleged that Davis then left the store without paying for the items and got into a vehicle driven by Stewert which was waiting for him parked along the storefront curb. It is further alleged that the two men then drove away. Officers located the vehicle a short distance away and activated their emergency lights and sirens. It is alleged that Stewert fled from the officers and led them on a high speed chase on Butterfield Road reaching speeds of approximately 78 mph in a 35-mph zone. The vehicle was stopped at I-290 and Mannheim Road after officers deployed spike-strips. Both men were taken into custody at this time.
“This is the third time this week that law enforcement in DuPage County found themselves involved in a high-speed chase,” Berlin said. “This is also the third time this week that following a high-speed chase, the alleged offenders were taken into custody. These high-speed pursuits must end. We have been lucky so far, but I fear it is only a matter of time before someone gets injured or worse. The criminal behavior alleged against these two men clearly displays their complete disregard for public safety and the rule of law and will not be tolerated in DuPage County. I thank the Oak Brook Police Department for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in keeping our retail establishments safe. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Pingaj and Anthony Raimondi for their work in preparing a strong case against these two defendants.”
“Incidents like this are becoming far too common but will not be tolerated in our community,” Strockis said. “Sooner or later the word will spread to the criminal element that the Oak Brook Police Department is committed to being pro-active in combatting retail crimes. I’m grateful that another pursuit ended safely and I’m proud of our officers’ coordinated efforts to stop these fleeing suspects and get them in custody. I’d like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their guidance and solid charges in this case”.
The next court appearance for Davis is scheduled for April 19, 2023, for arraignment. The next court appearance for Stewert is scheduled for April 20, 2023 for arraignment. Both cases will be in front of Judge Telander.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Davis
Stewert
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