Danville Police arrest 3 men for retail theft turned vehicle pursuit

DANVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - Three men were arrested following a retail theft turned vehicle pursuit late Tuesday night.

Danville Police responded to reports of theft at Meijer after an employee had been battered while confronting subjects stealing alcohol.

The incident turned into a vehicle pursuit once the suspects refused to stop for officers.

After the pursuit, the suspect's vehicle crashed at N Vermilion St. and E Madison St., where they then escaped on foot.

DPD managed to apprehend the three suspects, and officers located a firearm, ammunition, illegal narcotics and stolen items from the theft.

Brian Chesley of Champaign, Andrew Du of Champaign and Jeremiah Merrick of Bloomington, all 18 years old, were all arrested.

Chesley was booked on retail theft, aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and criminal damage to property.

Du was charged with retail theft, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and criminal damage to property.

Merrick was booked on charges of retail theft, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon—possession of a handgun under the age of 21, possession of a controlled substance, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery.

Anyone with additional information on the case can call Danville Police at 217-431-2250.