Man allegedly kidnaps ex-girlfriend after stealing her mother’s car in Oak Park, causing police chase

OAK PARK, Ill. — An alleged kidnapping and car theft that started in Oak Park was thwarted by authorities in south suburban Alsip after a police chase.

According to officials, the incident happened around 1 a.m. Friday on the 100 block of North Kenilworth in Oak Park.

Police were notified by a woman who reported that her 2016 Black BMW 5351 was taken by her daughter’s ex-boyfriend. Officials have identified the man as 25-year-old Thomas Kozie.

Kozie agreed to come back with the vehicle to turn over medication belonging to the woman, and while retrieving the medicine, the daughter was pulled into the vehicle, officials said.

The woman told officers that her daughter was able to text her, stating that she was scared and Kozie was not stopping or letting her out of the vehicle.

Officials said an Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network (ISPERN) notification was made and the victim’s phone was flagged to be pinged.

At that point, a chase ensued involving Illinois State Police that spanned two expressways until it ended near 127th and Menard in Alsip. The woman was rescued and Kozie was transported to the Oak Park Police Department.

According to officials, the victim did not cooperate with officers, wish to pursue charges or speak with a State’s Attorney.

Kozie will be charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and an out-of-state fugitive warrant in Iowa, officials said.