Release Denied for Woman Charged with Burglary/Retail Theft from Oak Brook Lululemon and Leading Police on 116 mph Chase

Cartara Johnson, 21 (d.o.b. 12/11/2003) of the 10600 block of S. Artesian Avenue, appeared at First Appearance Court yesterday charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).

“IT IS ALLEGED THAT MS. JOHNSON, A WOMAN CURRENTLY ON PROBATION FOR RETAIL THEFT, HELPED HERSELF TO MERCHANDISE FROM THE LULULEMON STORE AND SIMPLY WALKED OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT PAYING,” BERLIN SAID. “TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, IT IS FURTHER ALLEGED THAT SHE THEN LED POLICE ON A DANGEROUS, 116-MPH CHASE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON ON A BUSY SHOPPING DAY IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID APPREHENSION. THIS TYPE OF BLATANT DISREGARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE RULE OF LAW WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN DUPAGE COUNTY.”

OAK BROOK - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced that Judge Kentin Skarin granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial a Chicago woman accused of stealing merchandise from the Oak Brook Lululemon store and then leading police on a high-speed chase. Cartara Johnson, 21 (d.o.b. 12/11/2003) of the 10600 block of S. Artesian Avenue, appeared at First Appearance Court yesterday charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony), one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer (Class 4 Felony).

On February 22, 2025, at approximately 2:30 p.m. officers on patrol at the Oak Brook Mall observed a Hyundai Elantra with expired Indiana license plates enter the mall parking lot. It is alleged that the officer observed an individual, later identified as Johnson, exit the vehicle, remove an empty or nearly empty Lululemon branded bag from the trunk and enter the mall. It is alleged that Johnson entered the Lululemon store, located at 82 Oakbrook Center, selected multiple leggings from the store and exited the store without paying for the merchandise. Approximately fifteen minutes later, Johnson allegedly returned to the Elantra with the same Lululemon bag, which now appeared full. It is alleged that Johnson got into the driver’s seat of the Elantra and exited the mall parking lot at which time the officers followed her in their squad car. It is further alleged that officers observed Johnson swerve her vehicle multiple times before entering eastbound onto I-88. Officers followed Johnson onto I-88 and activated their emergency lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. It is further alleged that instead of pulling over, Johnson began to accelerate away from officers. It is alleged that the officers continued pursuit at a high rate of speed reaching speeds of approximately 116 mph before terminating pursuit out of safety concerns. It is alleged that during the pursuit, Johnson drove onto the shoulder multiple times and swerved in and out of heavy traffic. At approximately 2:41pm, officers tracked the Elantra to the area of Lathrop Avenue and Traube Street in North Riverside. With the assistance of a neighboring police department, the officers again activated their emergency lights and siren. It is alleged that once again, instead of pulling over, Johnson drove onto a residential lawn and fled the area. A short time later, Johnson and her vehicle were located by Stickney police near Central Avenue and I-55 after she crashed into construction equipment and attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody. When searching the Elantra, officers located the Lululemon bag Johnson allegedly brought into the store with her which contained multiple leggings valued at more than $300 with the price tags still attached.

“It is alleged that Ms. Johnson, a woman currently on probation for retail theft, helped herself to merchandise from the Lululemon store and simply walked out the door without paying,” Berlin said. “To make matters worse, it is further alleged that she then led police on a dangerous, 116-mph chase in the middle of the afternoon on a busy shopping day in an effort to avoid apprehension. This type of blatant disregard for public safety and the rule of law will not be tolerated in DuPage County. The apprehension and arrest of the defendant in this case sends the unmistakable message that in DuPage County we will not tolerate any type of behavior that disrupts our businesses or threatens public safety. We will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that anyone suspected of such behavior is apprehended, charged and prosecuted. Once again, I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their outstanding police work and for their continued efforts in keeping our businesses and patrons safe. I also thank the multiple anciencies involved in this case for their assistance as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Pingaj and Kevin Kosman for their work in securing charges against Ms. Johnson.”

“In the past week, five offenders have attempted to flee from the Oak Brook police and all five were apprehended,” Strockis said. “This is the result of a coordinated effort, effective tactics and a motivated team of highly-trained officers working toward the common goal of keeping Oak Brook safe. I’d like to thank all the agencies that assisted us with this case and so many others. Our message is clear, if you come to Oak Brook with the intention of committing a crime, you will be arrested and charged to the fullest extent of the law. I’d also like to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their assistance and guidance in this case.”

Johnson’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 3, 2025, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

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