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On 07/15/25 around 12:17 am, Danville Police responded to the Meijer Grocery Store in the 3600 block of N. Vermilion Street in reference to a
retail theft in progress. While en route officers were notified that three individuals had stolen alcohol from the store and one of the individuals
had battered an employee. The suspects then left the scene in a white Toyota Corolla. Responding officers located the suspect vehicle in the area of
Vermilion Street and Winter Street and attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. Officers pursued the vehicle southbound on Vermilion Street to the area of Seminary Street where the vehicle turned eastbound. The suspect vehicle struck the concrete stairs in front of the Vermilion County Administration Building in the 200 block of N. Vermilion Street and came to a stop.
After the suspect vehicle stopped, three suspects exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Officers chased after the suspects and they were taken into custody a short distance from the scene. The suspects are identified as 18-year-old Jeremiah L. Merrick of Bloomington, IL as well as 18-year-old Andrew T. Du and 18-year-old Brian N. Chesley Jr both of Champaign, IL. During a search of the vehicle, officers located the stolen alcohol as well as a loaded 9mm handgun.
All three suspects were booked at the Vermilion County Jail on initial charges of retail theft, and aggravated UUW. Chesley was additionally charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding as the driver of the suspect vehicle. Merrick also had an additional charge of battery for striking the Meijer employee. Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation into this incident continues and no other information is being released at this time.
Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to call Danville Police at (217) 431-2250. Or you can call Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at (217) 446-TIPS
