Authorities report that two women from Chicago allegedly engaged in a high-speed pursuit with police after stealing apparel from a store, despite being on pretrial release for theft-related offenses.

The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office has announced charges against 38-year-old Shawanda Outlaw and 27-year-old Destiny Jackson, including one count each of burglary and retail theft, alongside two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer.

The Oak Brook Police Department responded to a report of a burglary/retail theft at 12:30 p.m. Monday, to review footage of the theft.

Officers who responded to the incident consulted with the loss prevention officer and examined security footage, alleging that Jackson and Outlaw selected 18 pieces of clothing valued at $1,674 and proceeded to the fitting room.

Two women were held in pretrial detention after allegedly committing multiple retail thefts in Chicago. (iStock)

Jackson is currently on parole for aggravated battery to a police officer and retail theft from 2023, yet she was on pre-trial release in Will County for another retail theft case.

During Jackson’s pretrial hearing on Monday afternoon, Judge Joshua Dieden granted the state’s request for pretrial detention.

 Jackson is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 11, while Outlaw is scheduled to appear Aug. 26.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin accused Outlaw and Jackson of thumbing their noses at the criminal justice system and allegedly committing another crime while on pre-trial release.

“To further aggravate the matter, it is also alleged that in an attempt to avoid apprehension, the two defendants led authorities on a high-speed chase in the middle of the day, endangering the police officers involved, other motorists, pedestrians and shoppers along the way,” Berlin said. “In DuPage County we have zero tolerance for the type of behavior alleged in this case. The new charges against these women, who were both previously granted pretrial release, illustrates the need for changes to the State’s Safe-T-Act to give judges more discretion at First Appearance Court. 

“Too often, we are seeing repeat offenders released pre-trial because the Act does not allow judges to use their discretion for certain offenses.”

The Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2023, overhauled Illinois’ justice system with provisions that granted more freedoms to defendants and reduced certain felonies to misdemeanors. It also lowered the severity of some misdemeanors, like trespassing, and eliminated cash bail across the state.

The SAFE-T Act’s most controversial provision, abolishing cash bail, was delayed due to legal challenges over its constitutionality, but the Illinois Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the reform. 

It took effect Sept. 18, 2023, making Illinois the first state to fully eliminate cash bail.