FRONTENAC • A smash-and-grab theft last weekend at Plaza Frontenac netted thieves almost $60,000 worth of purses until they were captured after a 60-mile police chase, according to details from court documents.

Investigators believe they were part of a ring responsible for taking $1.9 million in merchandise from high-end retailers in Missouri, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan, according to Master Sgt. Mike Link of the Illinois State Police.

Eight suspects, all from Chicago, were charged in Illinois with theft, and seven of them were charged Wednesday in St. Louis County with receiving stolen property and property damage. All remained in the Montgomery County, Ill., jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. Four others were sought.

In court records, Frontenac police Detective Michael Barron said 10 to 12 people with hooded sweatshirts obscuring their faces walked into the Saks Fifth Avenue store shortly after it opened at 10 a.m. Saturday.