Elderly Man Fires Gun To Protect Cop From Teen Robbery Suspect: Police

Police nabbed an alleged 17-year-old robbery suspect fleeing from the Cal-Sag woods following the robbery of a Crestwood business and after a police officer had to duck shots fired by an elderly man with a concealed carry permit, who was trying to protect the officer.

The teen suspect identified as Demetrius Merrill, 17, of Chicago, was charged with armed robbery after police said he robbed a mobile phone store in Crestwood.

A second accomplice is also said to still be at large.

The alleged robbery unfolded just before noon on Saturday when Crestwood police responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at the AT&T Store, located at 4756 W. Cal-Sag Road, in Crestwood.

The first responding officer was flagged down by several witnesses, who advised him of the robbery in progress. The officer then saw a suspect running from the rear of the building, carrying a large duffle bag, police said.

As the officer began to pursue the robber on foot, he saw that the suspect was allegedly holding a handgun.

Police said the suspect dropped the duffle bag when he spotted the officer and fled in the opposite direction. Two gunshots were fired, which were later determined to have been from the 86-year-old customer that had been in the store, who is a licensed concealed carry permit holder.

The officer took cover not knowing where the shots were coming from and was forced to terminate the foot chase, police said.

Crestwood police assisted by other agencies established a perimeter around the Cal-Sag Canal. The suspect was spotted fleeing from the woods and was taken into custody by Crestwood and Palos Heights police officers.

Witnesses told police that a second armed suspect was at the mobile phone store’s front door. Police searched extensively for the reported suspect with negative results.

Investigators spoke to the 86-year-old citizen who is a licensed concealed carry permit holder. According to police, he was walking into the store when he observed a robbery was taking place. The man said he stayed out in front of the store and prevented other customers from entering.

Police said when the elderly man observed the suspect run out the back door, he became concerned for the officer’s safety.

The 86-year-old man ran into the store and out the back door. He then fired two shots in the direction of the suspect who was running toward the canal, police said.

No one was injured as a result of the gunfire.

The elderly man, described as an “upstanding, law abiding citizen” will not be charged for discharging his weapon, because he was trying to help the police officer, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Merrill appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice in Bridgeview where bail was set at $1 million.

Crestwood police detectives and other agencies continue to follow up on leads of additional suspects that may be involved.