Charges have been filed against two men after a retail theft in Woodstock that led to a brief police pursuit and the suspects fleeing on foot, prompting a police search in Marengo.
The Woodstock Police Department responded around 2:40 p.m. Saturday to the Walmart, 1275 Lake Avenue, for a report of a retail theft.
Woodstock Deputy Chief of Police George Kopulos said a suspect description and a vehicle description were provided, along with the license plate of the vehicle.
A Woodstock police officer located the vehicle at Route 14 and Kishwaukee Valley Road.
Kopulos said the officer was able to catch up to the vehicle on Kishwaukee Valley Road and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The vehicle did not stop and a pursuit was initiated, with the chase eventually traveling south toward Marengo before it was terminated.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Marengo Police Department were notified.
Marengo Police Department Sgt. Andrew Kjellgren said the vehicle was found abandoned in the middle of the road in the area of Deerpass Road north of Route 176.
Two suspects from the vehicle fled on foot and the Woodstock Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Marengo Police Department and a Belvidere Police Department canine conducted a search in the area.
A nearby resident reported seeing two suspicious subjects after 6 p.m. that day in the area of Route 23 and River Road in unincorporated Marengo, Kjellgren said.
Officers responded and arrested both suspects, Kjellgren said.
Kopulos said one of the suspects was identified as John A. Neveitt, 36, of Woodstock. The second suspect was identified as Alexia Ayala, 28, of Woodstock.
Neveitt was charged with burglary, two counts of retail theft, three counts of aggravated fleeing to elude police and reckless conduct.
Ayala was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft, a Class A misdemeanor.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Neveitt entered the Woodstock Walmart and stole a Concord electric bike, a knife and a reusable water bottle. Ayala acted as a lookout during the theft, a separate complaint said.
The charge is enhanced because Neveitt has a prior conviction for retail theft.
The complaint said Neveitt traveled at more than 21 mph over the speed limit while fleeing from police and disobeyed two or more traffic control devices while operating the 2013 Buick Enclave with its license plate removed.
Ayala was released from custody and given a court date of July 28 for a plea hearing.
Neveitt was transported to the McHenry County Jail where he appeared for an Initial Appearance Court hearing.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Neveitt pending trial, arguing he poses a willful flight risk.
McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb denied the petition and ordered Neveitt not to go to the Woodstock Walmart, not to leave the state without court permission and be placed on pre-trial supervision with electronic monitoring and curfew.
The judge also ordered Neveitt not to consume alcohol or drugs and to participate in a rehabilitation program.
While the judge denied the petition to detain, she granted a petition to revoke his pre-trial release in a stolen vehicle case out of Woodstock that occurred in April. He remains held in the McHenry County Jail.
Court records show Neveitt has additionally been charged following his arrest in connection with a July 8 retail theft in Crystal Lake where he allegedly stole clothing, luggage and an air mattress from Target and then rode his bicycle away from a responding police officer.