BROOKLYN, Ill. — For the first time, we're hearing from the Brooklyn Illinois Police Department about the three police chases they've initiated in just over a week.
Three recent pursuits, originating from the village of Brooklyn, Illinois, all ended with crashes in Missouri between Nov. 24 and Dec. 2.
For over a week, 5 On Your Side has been trying to contact someone from the police department about these crashes but has not heard back.
Outside the police department Monday, Chief Terry Pruitt told 5 On Your Side he was taking full accountability for the three high-speed chases in eight days, admitting they were "a little bit excessive."
The Brooklyn Police Department has only two full-time officers, including Pruitt, and multiple part-time officers. The police chief said he's short-staffed in a village of about 750 people.
"I'm extremely shorthanded. My normal amount would be around seven to eight full-time officers," Pruitt said.
However, Pruitt said that doesn't excuse the three pursuits in a matter of eight days.
"It's a little bit excessive," said the chief.
Police said the first chase started at 5:35 a.m. on Nov. 24, and the vehicle was connected to a drug sale at a Brooklyn club.
The driver fled across McKinley Bridge, traveling at more than 100 mph, and crashed at Interstate 70 and Salisbury Street.
Pruitt said they recovered guns and drugs from the vehicle. Three people were arrested and released to a St. Louis hospital pending charges.
"The biggest problem we have had and has plagued Brooklyn is vehicles fleeing from us. Everybody thinks that once they get to Missouri, we have to terminate, and they're good to go. Unfortunately, they don't understand that we still have to do our jobs and we still have to police the public and protect the public," Pruitt said.
Pruitt led the second police chase for 15 minutes before 5 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30. He said a Dodge Ram swerved into his lane, caused him to veer off in a ditch, and fled across Eads Bridge.
The chief said he lost sight of the truck halfway up Washington Avenue, and when he came around the corner, he saw that it had crashed at Washington and Grand.
The truck slammed into the side of Stage Left Grille near the Fabulous Fox Theater and T-boned another vehicle.
Five people were taken to the hospital, including the three suspects in the truck —a female and two males— and two people in the car that the truck T-boned. All were expected to be OK. Police also confiscated guns and drugs from the Dodge Ram.
Brooklyn Police have interviewed multiple suspects and identified the driver. No arrests have been made, but the chief said they will be taken into custody and charged.
In a Saturday Facebook post, the Fabulous Fox announced that Stage Left Grille would be closed for the weekend, but the closure would not impact any performances at the Fox. As of Monday night, Stage Left Grille remained temporarily closed.
The third chase happened early Monday morning after an officer tried to stop a vehicle for reckless driving.
Pruitt said the car sped down Interstate 64 and into downtown before it crashed at 14th Street, near Enterprise Center.
When the driver got out and ran away, the car went up in flames. No arrests have yet been made in the case.
A different Brooklyn officer led each pursuit.
"Three pursuits is a little bit excessive, and as I stated, I will be addressing that with my team," Pruitt said.
Pruitt said he became chief in February. When asked about the department's policies regarding high-speed pursuits, he said there is no current policy in place.
"As of right now, we don't really have one because I'm still working on it," Pruitt said.
The Brooklyn Police Department is investigating all three pursuits.