UPDATE 8:15 P.M. — All three suspects in the robbery and car chase, Terrion Johnson; Jabreez Thompkins; and Christopher Smith, were arrested for Business Burglary.
Peoria Police Public Information Officer Amy Dotson said Smith was also arrested for various traffic offenses.
All three individuals were from Michigan and were transported to Peoria County Jail.
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PEORIA, Ill. — An early Friday afternoon robbery of the Northwoods Mall Kay Jewelers led to a high-speed chase that ended in East Peoria.
Peoria Police responded around 12:15 to the store. There, they were told two males came into the store, using a sledgehammer to bust open glass display cases, before exiting to the parking lot where a van awaited them.
Officers from the PPD began chasing the van across I-74 eastbound, traversing the Murray Baker Bridge all the way to the Washington St. exit.
Once the van entered into East Peoria, it began running red lights, traveling all the way to the Clock Tower roundabout before turning off in the direction of Target.
The East Peoria Police Department joined in the chase, which eventually ended by the Par-A-Dice. The two males who allegedly committed the robbery fled on foot towards the woods, while the driver stayed with the van.
All three were arrested. Scanner traffic indicated witnesses believed they saw the men throw an object into the Illinois River, though it was unclear what the object in question was, or if it was retrieved.
The PPD has not released the names or any other details about the suspects.
No injuries were reported to anyone involved.
