THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2008
High-Speed Chase Ends In Rollover
A high-speed chase through Mt. Prospect led to charges against a village man and the rollover wreck of his turbo-charged car.
James K. Redman, 21, of 600 N. Wille St., was charged with two counts of aggravated fleeing and eluding police along with one count of driving with a revoked driver's license and no proof of insurance. An officer saw him at 10:42 p.m. June 25 driving a silver 1984 Datsun 300ZX on Central Road at what appeared to be a high rate of speed. The officer followed him and, as he neared the Datsun, Redman allegedly made a sudden turn onto northbound Pine Street and sped away.
The officer followed and saw Redman allegedly go through a stop sign for Henry Street, then turn onto Thayer Street. The officer followed as Redman turned north on Russel Street.
The officer turned off his emergency lights in an effort to slow Redman down through the neighborhood.
Redman did slow on Russel, but the officer saw another vehicle ahead of him and again tried to pull him over. Redman allegedly drove around the other vehicle, went through the stop sign at Highland Street, and turned westbound onto Highland.
Redman continued on Highland at more than 65 mph, went through stop signs at Elmhurst, Fairview, and Forest avenues, and then tried to turn onto Forest. He allegedly lost control of his vehicle, struck a raised embankment, and rolled over, landing upside down in a field. Redman got out of his vehicle and ran from the scene while the officer checked the wreckage for other passengers. Police then went to Redman's home where a family member allegedly told officers Redman had the vehicle and was the only person to drive it. The family member tried to reach him on his cellular telephone but he did not answer, according to the police report.
About two hours later, at 12:52 a.m. June 26, Redman called the Des Plaines Police Dept. from Stadium Club, 769 Holiday Lane, to report his vehicle stolen. Officers responded to the stadium where one of Redman's friends allegedly told police he had been at the bar since 9 p.m. However, police reviewed video surveillance footage from the business that showed Redman allegedly entering the lounge at 11:59 p.m. and remaining inside the bar until approaching an employee at 12:52 a.m. to report his car stolen.
After interviews with employees and other patrons, police took him into custody. He later allegedly congratulated the officer who chased him saying, "You are a really good driver," according to the police report.
This was not Redman's first contact with police. In earlier stories published by this newspaper, he was charged with theft on June 19, 2007 for allegedly taking a purse at a Des Plaines tanning salon.