2 Chicago men charged after stolen chainsaws led to high-speed chase in west suburbs: prosecutors

WILLOW SPRINGS, Ill. — Two Chicago men are accused of stealing a pair of chainsaws from a truck and then leading police on a high-speed chase through the west suburbs , prosecutors in DuPage County announced Thursday.

Kawann Moore, 39, and Richard Pegue, 35, each face burglary and aggravated fleeing and eluding police charges following the events of Wednesday, May 15.

Prosecutors allege that just before 12:20 p.m., police in Lombard responded to a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle, where two chainsaws, each worth $200, were stolen.

An Oak Brook police officer later located the suspect vehicle, which police said was a tan-colored Chrysler minivan with fake plates. According to prosecutors, when the officer began following the car, driven allegedly by Moore, he started maneuvering into oncoming traffic near 39th Street and Glendenning Road.

During the pursuit, prosecutors say Moore reached speeds of 120 mph on Interstate 55 and nearly struck a motorcyclist. Moore reportedly reached 100 mph in a 35 mph zone on Ogden Avenue, violating multiple traffic warnings.

According to prosecutors, the police chase ended when Moore and Pegue exited the vehicle and ran near 80th Place and Howard Avenue in Willow Springs, a school zone where children were outside for recess.

Police later placed Pegue into custody near the school following a brief pursuit. Authorities took Moore into custody in a nearby wooded area after prosecutors say he fled a homeowner who was holding him at gunpoint. According to authorities, the homeowner discovered Moore hiding in his backyard, where his nine-year-old child was playing.

Police recovered two chainsaws from the suspect vehicle, prosecutors added. Video from SkyCam9 captured one person in handcuffs.

Both men remain behind bars and are due back in court on Monday, June 10.

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