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. © Copyright 2009, St. Louis Public Radio