FRONTENAC • A police pursuit of suspected shoplifters ended in a vehicle catching fire on Highway 40 (Interstate 64) Wednesday afternoon.

The chase began about 12:30 p.m. at The Meadows shopping center off Highway 40 in Lake Saint Louis, police said.

Three females were reported taking about $8,000 worth of merchandise without paying from the Victoria's Secret store before driving away in a 2007 maroon Nissan Altima, according to Lake Saint Louis police.

Officers tried to stop the vehicle as it continued east on Highway 40, police said.

The car struck a curb causing its tire to deflate, but the driver continued to flee, said Lake Saint Louis police Chief Chris DiGiuseppi.

At about 12:45 p.m., Frontenac police took up the pursuit near Spoede Road.

By that time, the vehicle had two flat tires and came to a stop on its own before bursting into flames, said Frontenac Det. Tim Duda.

The fire was likely due to the heat and sparks from riding on the tire rims, police said.