By AP/KWMU
St. Louis – Four young men are in custody after a police chase that began in St. Louis County Tuesday night and ended up in the city.
Police say the suspects were seen shoplifting at South County Center, then ran to a stolen car when officers approached them.
That car wouldn't start so the thieves allegedly punched a man in the face and tried to steal his car. But the man fought them off.
Two suspects were soon captured, but two others stole a minivan as a woman was unloading groceries from it.
A chase began along Interstate 55 into the city; the pursuit included a police helicopter.
The van crashed through a chain-link fence and a wall at a school, stopping on the playground.
The two suspects ran but were caught.