Joliet Cop Fires Shots, Carjacking Suspect, 15, Captured

JOLIET, IL — Two teenage boys were captured by Joliet police following a Friday afternoon police chase that involved one officer firing their gun at a 15-year-old suspect involved in an early morning carjacking in Cook County, according to Joliet police.

Police spokesman Dwayne English said Joliet police found the stolen Mercedes-Benz in the 800 block of Ewing Street around 12:25 p.m.

According to English, the following events took place:

• The vehicle was suspected to be involved in an aggravated carjacking incident that happened around 4:45 a.m. near 107th Street and La Grange Road in Cook County.
• While Joliet police were on the scene at Ewing Street, a 16-year-old boy exited the residence and was placed into custody.
• Meanwhile, the 15-year-old boy who was already in the driver’s seat of the stolen Mercedes-Benz, put the car in drive and attempted to escape by driving around the police vehicles.
• The 15-year-old driver nearly struck one officer with the vehicle. An officer on scene discharged their gun, but did not strike the suspect.
• The suspect refused to stop and a chase ensued.

• Officers pursued the vehicle to Plainfield Road and Pennsylvania Avenue, where the vehicle struck an unmarked Joliet Police Department squad car and continued speeding away.
• The pursuit ended in the 1700 block of Plainfield Road in Crest Hill after the car struck other vehicles not involved in the incident. The suspect ran from the car and was quickly apprehended without further incident.
• English said the officer driving the squad that was struck by the fleeing 15-year-old was taken to the hospital by the Joliet Fire Department with minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

"An update will be provided once more information becomes available," English said.

Meanwhile, Patch reporter Lorraine Swanson tracked down the following information from the Cook County Sheriff's Office:

At approximately 4:40 a.m. on Friday Oct. 6, Cook County Sheriff’s Police responded to a vehicular hijacking at the intersection of LaGrange Road and W. 107th Street in unincorporated Palos Township.

Officers learned that a 47-year-old victim was at a red light when his vehicle was bumped by another car. When the victim got out to inspect the damage, a second vehicle pulled up. A total of three males wearing ski masks exited from the two vehicles, displayed guns and demanded the victim’s keys and cell phone.

One of the offenders drove off in the victim’s car, while the two other offenders got back into the other vehicles and fled. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Sheriff’s Police Detectives at 708-865-4896.