COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Garfield Park man stole a van with a toddler inside and led police on a West Side chase Sunday, prosecutors said.
When officers finally caught up with Lamont Robinson, the 2-year-old child was screaming and crying in the van's backseat — but ultimately unharmed, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said during a bond hearing Tuesday.
The chase started about 8:50 p.m. Sunday when a man left his 2-year-old child inside his 1995 Chevy van as he entered a business in the 3900 block of West Cermak Road in Little Village, according to police.
An initial statement from police described the child as a girl, but court records list the boy's name and describe him as male.
Robinson, 23, jumped into the van, which was still running, and sped off, authorities said.
The ensuing chase involved dozens of police cars. Robinson ran two red lights and was eventually stopped about 9:13 p.m. in the 2800 block of West Logan Boulevard, according to an arrest report. Police said the chase also led to minor crash that left two officers and one civilian injured.
Officers had been given a description of the van via police radio, and Robinson refused to curb the van, the arrest report said.
According to court records, Robinson has never been issued a driver's license.
He is currently on parole for robbery, aggravated battery to a peace officer, attempting to disarm a peace officer, possession of a gun by a gang member and possession of a controlled substance, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections. He was also previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance.
Robinson, of the 3400 block of West Polk Street, is charged with kidnapping, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing, running two red lights, fleeing and attempting to allude police, and driving without a driver's license
Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. on Tuesday ordered Robinson held in lieu of $450,000 bail.
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