Car Thief Points Gun At Man In Downers Grove: Police

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — What started as a car theft ended with a gun pointed at a man in Downers Grove Thursday evening, according to police. After the incident, the suspect fled on foot and was still at large as of Friday afternoon.

The incident took place in the 2100 block of Prentiss Drive around 7 p.m. The victim told police their car had been stolen from their parking spot at the apartment complex and moved to another part of the lot.

Police say the victim found the car shortly after and noticed someone sitting inside. The suspect got out of the car and pointed a silver handgun at the victim before fleeing west on foot, according to police.

The suspect was described as a Black man, standing around 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black ski mask, a blue hooded sweatshirt and gray pants.

This most recent car theft comes after two cars were stolen from homes in Downers Grove on Jan. 12. Police say those cars had been left running to warm up and were unattended when they were stolen.

In the wake of the incident, Downers Grove Police Chief Shanon Gillette is urging residents to avoid leaving their cars unlocked and unattended once they are running.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact the Downers Grove Police Department at 630-434-5600.