DANVILLE, IL (Chambana Today) – In the late hours of Tuesday heading into early Wednesday, Danville Police responded to the Meijer Grocery Store on the 3600 block of North Vermilion Street to respond to a retail theft in progress.
Officers were notified that three individuals had stolen alcohol from the store and that one of the individuals had battered an employee. The suspects fled the scene in a white Toyota Corolla.
Responding officers located the vehicle of the suspects in the area of Vermilion Street and Winter Street and attempted to stop it. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. Officers pursued the vehicle southbound on Vermilion Street to the area of Seminary Street where the vehicle turned eastbound. The suspected vehicle struck the concrete stairs in front of the Vermilion County Administration Building in the 200 block of North Vermilion Street and came to a stop.
Three suspects exited the vehicle after the vehicle stopped, attempting to flee on foot. Officers chased after the suspects, who were taken into custody a short distance from the scene. The suspects were identified as 18-year-old Jeremiah L. Merrick of Bloomington, Illinois, 18-year-old Andrew T. Du, and 18-year-old Brian N. Chesler Jr both of Champaign, Illinois. During a search of the vehicle, officers located the stolen alcohol as well as a loaded 9mm handgun.
All three suspects were booked at the Vermilion County Jail on initial charges of retail theft and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Chesley was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding as the driver of the vehicle. Merrick also had an additional charge of battery for striking the Meijer employee.
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to call Danville Police at (217) 431-2250. Or you can call Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at (217) 446-TIP.