DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced yesterday, Tuesday, July 9, 2024, that the DuPage County Court granted the State’s motion to detain pre-trial two women accused of stealing nearly $6,000 worth of merchandise from the two Oak Brook stores. Martasia Barney, age 26, of the 9500 block of Greenwood Street, Chicago, and Psy’che Hayes, age 35, of Dubuque, Iowa, appeared in First Appearance Court Tuesday morning, each charged with …
two counts of Burglary (Class 2 Felony),
two counts of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony),
two counts of Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property (Class 3 Felony),
two counts of Criminal Damage to Property (Class 4 Felony), and
one count of Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felony).
Through the course of an ongoing investigation, officers with the Oak Brook Police Department identified two suspects and their Volvo allegedly involved in the theft of a woman’s wallet on June 25, 2024. Police officers on Monday, July 8, 2024, at approximately 6:27 p.m., observed two women, who matched the suspects’ descriptions from the wallet theft, walking into The Oakbrook Center Mall property from the True Food Kitchen, which is not located at the mall. The two women, later identified as Barney and Hayes, were carrying empty Forever 21 shopping bags with them. Officers began surveillance on the Volvo, which was parked with the engine running and lights on. The Volvo driver had backed into a parking stall spot.
As officers surveilled the Volvo, they observed both suspects return to Volvo and get inside. Officers then observed the women exit the Volvo and return to the mall, again carrying their empty Forever 21 shopping bags. When Barney and Hayes again returned to the Volvo, Barney got in the driver’s seat, and a police officer approached them with his squad car. Both women then ran toward their Volvo and got inside. The police officer activated his emergency lights and sirens, and parked his vehicle with the front bumper up to the Volvo’s front bumper in an attempt to prevent the suspects from fleeing. Barney allegedly drove the Volvo into the squad car in an attempt to flee, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. When a police officer walked up to the Volvo, Barney backed up causing the officer to need to make an evasive move to avoid being run over by the Volvo. Allegedly, Barney continued driving with the Volvo in reverse, and crashed into an unoccupied Pontiac G6, pushing it out of the parking stall. Barney also struck an unoccupied 2013 Honda Civic parked beside the Pontiac. Next, Barney crashed into another squad car with emergency lights and sirens activated. Barney continued with her attempt to flee. Police officers were able to break out the windows of the Volvo and take Barney and Hayes into custody.
When officers arrested Hayes, she allegedly stated that this was “no big thing” and that she “would be out tomorrow.”
Following further investigation, it was discovered that Barney and Hayes entered the Aritzia women’s clothing store located at 75 Oakbrook Center, and stole approximately $2,714 worth of clothing, and then returned to their Volvo. Police investigators also discovered that the pair then exited the Volvo, and went to Alo Yoga, located at 68 Oakbrook Center, where they allegedly stole approximately $3,282 worth of clothing before returning to their vehicle.
“The allegations that these two defendants stole nearly $6,000 worth of merchandise from two Oakbrook Center stores and then, in an effort to escape, crashed their vehicle into four other vehicles, two of which were police squad cars, nearly striking a police officer, are extremely alarming. The denial of pre-trial release for both Ms. Hayes and Ms. Barney sends the strong message that in DuPage County we will not tolerate the complete and utter disregard for public safety and the rule of law allegedly exhibited by Ms. Barney and Ms. Hayes. We are all thankful that no one was seriously injured during this incident. Once again, I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their outstanding efforts that led to the apprehension of the defendants and for their continued work in keeping our retail establishments safe for employees and patrons alike. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Adam Frahm and Michael Paup for their work in securing charges against the defendants.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“The reckless criminal actions of these two offenders are appalling. The Oakbrook Center Mall is the premier shopping and dining destination in Illinois, and we are steadfast in our efforts to keep it safe. This was a dangerous incident due to the reckless actions of the offenders and I’m grateful that no one was seriously hurt. I’d like to thank State’s Attorney Berlin and his team for their assistance and guidance on this case.”
— Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis
The next court appearance for both women is scheduled for August 5, 2024, for arraignment.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office
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