Search for pair suspected in Walmart theft in Huntley involves K-9 unit, tips from residents

A reported theft at Walmart turned into a foot chase, resulting in the arrest of two Elgin men Saturday, Huntley police said.

The two men were identified Monday as Luis Arreola, 35, of the 0 to 100 block South Crystal Street, and Damian Franco, age 31, of the 600 block of Grace Street, according to a Monday news release.

The Huntley Police Department responded at 2:36 p.m. Saturday to the Walmart at 12300 Route 47 for a reported retail theft, according to the release.

The caller told police that the pair suspected in the theft were leaving the parking lot in a vehicle, according to the release.

A responding officer attempted to pull over a vehicle that matched the description given near Mill and Grove streets, but the vehicle occupants fled the vehicle by foot, according to the release. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Elgin.

One of the vehicle’s occupants was found in a nearby garage “tampering with another vehicle,” Huntley police said in the release. He was taken into custody about 2:50 p.m.

Police continued to look for the other man with help from the Lake in the Hills Police Department and a K-9 unit from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, according to the release.

About 3:13 p.m., a Huntley resident reported seeing a person take a bicycle from a residence in the area of Timer Drive, according to the release. That person “closely resembled” the description of the man being sought.

A short time later, a person wearing a tank top, which not typical for weather, in the area of Sawgrass Drive was reported to police, according to the release.

Officers found the man, who they said matched the description of the man being sought, according to the release. He was arrested about 3:17 p.m.

Arreola was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, a class 4 felony, as well as driving without a valid license and disobeying a stop sign, according to the release.

Franco was charged with burglary, a class 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a class 3 felony; aggravated fleeing and eluding, a class 4 felony; and obstructing justice, a class 4 felony, according to the release.

Both men were taken to the McHenry County Jail pending a bond hearing.