Chicago Pair Arrested After Kohl’s Theft And Interstate Pursuit
Two Chicago men, 23-year-old Jonheym Jonathan Andrews and 23-year-old Steve E. Mitchell, are facing multiple felony charges after police say a theft at the Merrillville Kohl’s store escalated into a wrong-way pursuit on I-65 that ended in a crash and foot chase, according to Lake County probable cause affidavits. Andrews is identified as the driver of a blue Kia sedan, and Mitchell as the front-seat passenger.
Police were dispatched to Kohl’s after loss prevention reported two males running out of the store with stolen fragrance merchandise and getting into a blue Kia. When a fully marked patrol vehicle activated its emergency lights and siren, Andrews looked directly at the police vehicle, made a U-turn, and accelerated away. A registration check confirmed the Kia was registered to Andrews. Officers pursued the vehicle northbound on Mississippi Street and onto I-65, where a PIT maneuver caused the Kia to rotate, but Andrews continued driving, heading southbound in the northbound lanes of the interstate.
Traffic began stopping as the Kia drove toward oncoming vehicles. The Kia nearly struck one fully marked patrol car before colliding with another police vehicle, causing airbag deployment and extensive front-end damage that rendered the police unit out of service. Both Andrews and Mitchell ran from the crash scene down an embankment. Officers apprehended Andrews at the wrecked Kia and captured Mitchell farther down the hill, noting he was purposely dragging his feet and refusing to walk as officers escorted him back up the embankment.
One officer reported stomach and wrist pain from the collision, and another had blood dripping from his hand after cutting it on a guardrail while assisting with Mitchell’s detention. Inside the Kia, investigators recovered numerous bottles and sets of fragrances later confirmed as stolen from Kohl’s, totaling $4,128.06 in loss, along with 4.8 grams of marijuana that field-tested positive for THC. Kohl’s loss prevention stated Andrews is associated with the “Spider Hoodie Crew” and that both men grabbed merchandise and ran from the store. Surveillance video confirmed Andrews and Mitchell as the individuals who stole the items.
In a recorded interview, Andrews admitted he picked up Mitchell and drove to Kohl’s to steal cologne and perfume. He admitted fleeing from police, stated he drove the wrong way between two semi-trucks on I-65, and said he sells stolen merchandise on the street or Facebook. Mitchell admitted stealing merchandise, placing items into his backpack, and running from police, saying he just got out of jail and panicked. He also admitted the marijuana belonged to both men.
Hobart Police issued a statement saying, “To our friends from Illinois: please be aware that there is no I-Bond here — you will go to jail for shoplifting.”
Both suspects are lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed December 4,2025:
Jonheym Jonathan Andrews:
• Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon — Level 5 Felony
• Battery on a Public Safety Officer Resulting in Bodily Injury — Level 5 Felony
• Theft ($750–$50,000) — Level 6 Felony
• Organized Retail Theft — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Vehicle) — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Causing Bodily Injury) — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Using a Vehicle) — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Fleeing) — Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
Steve E. Mitchell was charged with:
• Theft ($750–$50,000) — Level 6 Felony
• Organized Retail Theft — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Causing Bodily Injury) — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Fleeing) — Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
