Bystander Tussles With Car Thief, Driverless Car Runs Over Suspect: PD

OAK FOREST, IL — A man who tried to steal a car instead found himself beneath it being run over, following a struggle with a bystander, police said Monday.

The incident happened at a gas station on 167th and Cicero, where two friends had met to exchange items, Oak Forest Police Chief Jason Reid said Monday. Both were out of their cars, when a Hyundai Elantra approached on 167th and a man got out, coming toward them, Reid said. The suspect got into one of the vacant cars and attempted to drive away, but that car owner's friend jumped in the passenger side and struggled with the suspect, police said.

Both men fell out of the car, which then ran over the suspect's legs before stopping against a guardrail, police said.

The car owner's friend had the suspect pinned on the ground outside the station, before another man approached, reaching for his waistband and inferring a weapon, police said. In fear that the man was armed, the friend released the man who had tried to steal the car, and the two suspects fled south on Cicero Avenue in the Elantra, according to police. The Elantra was later recovered in Alsip, Reid told Patch.

The victim's car was recovered at the scene. Oak Forest police are investigating; no suspects have identified.