OAK BROOK, Ill — Authorities in the west suburbs of Chicago stopped a burglary in progress Thursday, leading to a police pursuit on the Eisenhower Expressway, but officers were eventually able to catch the two suspects thanks to the help of a police tracking dart.
The GPS tracking dart called “Star Chase” is a small device that is having a big impact on police pursuits.
Oak Brook police said they are using the tracking darts on a nearly weekly basis. Other suburban departments including Elmhurst and Willow Brook have them too, and now some city of Chicago aldermen are showing interest in getting the technology for the Chicago Police Department.
“If you would have told me, I started 24 years ago, that we’d be shooting GPS darts out of the front of a squad car I would have said that you’re crazy, you know, but technology is advancing so much, especially in law enforcement, that it’s just, it’s amazing to see where we’ve come,” Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said.
At around 4:45 a.m. Thursday, officers in Oak Park arrested two suspects who allegedly fled from Elmhurst to Oak Park on Interstate 290 after breaking into a liquor store.