Man Charged With Kidnapping Toddler, Eluding Police In Chase Of Stolen Van
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A 23-year-old man has been charged after he stole a van with a 2-year-old girl in the back seat, then led police on a chase Sunday night through the West and Northwest sides.
Lamont Robinson, of the 3400 block of West Polk Street, was charged with one count each of kidnapping, aggravated possession of a stolen car, aggravated fleeing, all felonies, according to a statement from Chicago Police. He also faces misdemeanor counts of driving without a license and attempting to elude police and was cited for disobeying a red light.
About 8:50 p.m. Sunday, a man left his white van running with his daughter inside while he entered a business in the 3900 block of West Cermak, police said.
While the man was in the business, Robinson jumped into the vehicle and it sped off, police said.
A police chase ensued and officers pursued the van to Logan Boulevard and California Avenue, where Robinson was taken into custody, police said.
The girl was taken to Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, where she was treated and released, police said at the time.
During the pursuit, an assisting squad car was involved in a "minor" crash with a civilian vehicle in the 2800 block of South Kostner, police said. Two officers and the male driver of the civilian vehicle were all taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Robinson is scheduled to appear in bond court on Tuesday.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)