4 theft ring members charged after chase

Three East St. Louis, Illinois, residents and one resident from Jennings, Missouri, were charged Wednesday afternoon after leading authorities on a long chase Tuesday afternoon.

Faheem El-Amin, 27, of East St. Louis, is charged with stealing, resisting arrest and careless and imprudent driving.

Bianca Crockett, 27, and Mercedes Holmes, 25, both of East St. Louis, along with Javayshia Smith, 27, of Jennings, are each charged with stealing and resisting arrest.

Jefferson City Police reported the 911 center received a call at 3:21 p.m., reporting a theft from Dillard's at Capital Mall. Crockett, Holmes and Smith had gone inside the store and taken more than $1,500 in property by concealing items in Dillard's bags. It was later learned the women were involved in multiple thefts in the Mid-Missouri area amounting to approximately $17,000.

Once the women fled from Dillard's, they got into a vehicle driven by El-Amin and left the mall parking lot.

Based on witness descriptions, the suspect vehicle was located by responding officers on U.S. 50 near Dix Road.

As an officer attempted to stop the vehicle, El-Amin failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. El-Amin then fled the area, driving eastbound, eventually reaching the Missouri River Bridge where he went north on U.S. 54.

Law enforcement agencies along the 54 corridor were called to assist in the chase. The Jefferson City officers were joined by Holts Summit Police, members of the Callaway County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

The vehicle continued northbound until reaching the city limits of Fulton, where Fulton Police deployed tire-deflation spikes, forcing the vehicle to stop.

Court records show El-Amin had been on parole for unlawful use of a weapon. Crockett has several stealing-related arrests and convictions from Illinois. Smith has prior charges for obstructing justice.

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