A Chicago man who stole a local pizza delivery van early Sunday morning drove to Joliet before the truck ran out of gas.

Norman G. Toppel, 18, allegedly stole a Pizza Villa van while its driver entered the 824 W. Lincoln Hwy. store to get more deliveries, DeKalb Police said. Toppel was arrested Sunday and charged with theft of more than $300.

The van was unlocked at the time.

Toppel allegedly was fleeing the scene of another robbery with a case of beer he stole from The Liquor Store No. 2, 1022 W. Lincoln Hwy., police said.

Illinois State Police officials found the abandoned van on Interstate 55 near Route 6, DeKalb Police Lt. Richard Moudy said.

The van ran out of gas, prompting Toppel to leave on foot to a nearby truck stop for food, Moudy said.

Toppel allegedly was telling the other customers at the truck stop about the robbery, Moudy said. When Toppel saw the state troopers approaching the restaurant, he again fled on foot and was soon apprehended, Moudy said.

Pizza Villa Manager John Finn said drivers carry two sets of keys and usually lock the running vans while making deliveries, but often do not lock the vehicles while stopping at the restaurant.

“When they’re here, they leave it unlocked,” Finn said. “It’s usually not a problem.”

Finn also said the vans are not fueled until after the store closes for the night.

The van is worth $15,000, police said. Finn said Pizza Villa did not lose profits because the restaurant was only 45 minutes from closing when the van was stolen.

No court date has been set.