Fired employee charged after car rams store

An employee of the Chalet Nursery and Garden Shop reacted to being fired June 27 by driving his car through the display area of the store, police said.

Eric D. Moore, 27, had been shouting and cursing at managers of the store, at 3132 W. Lake Ave., that afternoon after a boss confronted him about repeatedly leaving without telling them, police said. Moore, of 1714 Leland Ave., Evanston, hurled a radio at a wall and was fired on the spot, police said.

Moments later, a manager heard a crash and saw concrete flying through the air, and Moore's 1994 Buick LeSabre plowing through the outdoor display area, according to reports.

The manager ran out of the store to see the LeSabre leaving a trail of broken stone benches, fountains, statues and pots, before thumping out of the Skokie Boulevard exit on a flat tire, then turning west on Lake Avenue.

Police, called by the Chalet, said they arrested Moore about a half a mile away, at the service station at Lake and Laramie avenues.

Moore was charged with criminal damage to property, reckless driving and driving without a license or insurance. He is scheduled to appear today (July 6) in Cook County 2nd District Criminal Court, 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie.

Damage to the Chalet property was estimated at $4,281.