Manhunt Underway After Burglary Suspect Flees Crash in Suburban Chicago

Police searching wooded area near I-290 for second suspect who ran from scene

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:55am

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered car window glass reflecting the flashing red and blue lights of a police car, creating a stark, gritty visual that conceptually represents the aftermath of a high-speed pursuit.The wreckage from a police chase highlights the risks and difficulties law enforcement face when apprehending suspects who refuse to surrender.Chicago Today

A burglary suspect is on the run after a police chase ended in a crash in Elmhurst, Illinois early Thursday morning. One suspect was arrested at the scene, but a second suspect fled into a nearby wooded area and is being sought by police using drones and K9 units.

Why it matters

Burglary and property crimes remain an ongoing challenge for many suburban Chicago communities, with suspects sometimes evading capture after vehicle pursuits and crashes. This incident highlights the risks and difficulties law enforcement face when apprehending suspects who refuse to surrender.

The details

According to Elmhurst police, the situation began around 4:30 a.m. when another police agency chased a vehicle wanted for burglary into Elmhurst. The vehicle crashed near York and Lake streets, and officers quickly took one suspect into custody at the scene. However, a second suspect ran from the crash and was last seen heading northeast into a wooded area near I-290, just east of York Road. Police described the suspect as a Black man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, gray pants and white shoes.

  • The incident began around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
  • The vehicle crashed near York and Lake streets in Elmhurst.

The players

Elmhurst Police Department

The local law enforcement agency leading the search for the burglary suspect who fled the crash scene.

Unidentified Burglary Suspect

A Black male suspect who ran from the crash scene and is currently being sought by police in the wooded area near I-290.

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What’s next

Police will continue searching the wooded area near I-290 using drones and K9 units until the second suspect is apprehended.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges suburban Chicago communities face with property crimes and the need for coordinated law enforcement efforts to safely apprehend suspects who flee from police.