CHICAGO — In one of the most unusual police pursuits in recent memory, a 33-year-old man allegedly sparked a bizarre low-speed chase in Humboldt Park after officers saw him smoking crack cocaine behind the wheel of a minivan early Wednesday morning.
Chicago police say the driver, Sonny Costello of Burbank, was spotted around 6:30 a.m. in the 3700 block of West Chicago Avenue holding a glass pipe commonly used for narcotics. Officers approached the minivan and reportedly witnessed Costello packing the pipe with what appeared to be crack cocaine and lighting it — all from the driver’s seat.
Slowest Chase on Record?
When police instructed Costello to exit the vehicle, he instead shifted into drive, hopped the curb, and launched what can only be described as a “parade-speed getaway.” The pursuit — clocking in at roughly 2 miles per hour — weaved through construction cones, sidewalks, and even included wrong-way turns on residential streets.
According to police, Costello led the chase along Drake, Huron, and Central Park, blowing through stop signs and ignoring traffic laws. Eventually, he collided with a police vehicle just hard enough to disable his own van, which began smoking.
Officers Respond, Arrest Made
Video footage of the event, which has since gone viral, shows officers swarming the disabled van. One officer drew her weapon while another attempted — unsuccessfully — to break the passenger window with a baton. Costello was quickly taken into custody without further incident.
Police say the slow-speed chase wasn’t just reckless, it was dangerous and potentially deadly, given the suspect was allegedly under the influence and navigating sidewalks and intersections with no regard for others.
Full List of Charges
Costello now faces a lengthy list of charges, including:
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Aggravated DUI without a license
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Possession of a controlled substance
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Possession of drug paraphernalia
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Criminal damage to government property (for striking a squad car)
He also received multiple citations, including:
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Driving the wrong way
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Operating a vehicle on the sidewalk
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Driving an uninsured vehicle
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Reckless driving
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Running multiple stop signs
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Not wearing a seatbelt
Court Outcome
Judge John Hock released Costello on bail while he awaits trial. His court date has not yet been announced.
Community Concerns
The slow-motion pursuit has left some Chicago residents baffled and concerned. While the video may seem humorous at first glance, the underlying issue — a driver allegedly high behind the wheel in a residential neighborhood — raises serious questions about drug use, public safety, and law enforcement preparedness.
In neighborhoods like Humboldt Park, where families walk kids to school and seniors gather on porches, even a crawling minivan driven by someone allegedly under the influence becomes a threat.
Have you ever witnessed a strange or dangerous police pursuit in your neighborhood? Let us know how it’s impacted your sense of safety by sharing your story at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
