Police Chase In South Suburbs Ends With 9-Car Crash In Oak Forest

OAK FOREST, IL — The high-speed police chase that went through a number of south suburban communities Tuesday night ended with a crash that involved nine vehicles on 159th Street in Oak Forest. It also caused a brief lock down at Oak Forest Hospital.

The chase started in Bolingbrook when four armed suspects robbed a Verizon store and took off in two vehicles, police in the western suburb said. Reports indicate three armed robbers entered the Verizon store at 224 N. Weber Road at around 5:30 p.m., stealing cell phones and property. The suspects fled in two vehicles. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Oak Forest news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

One of the alleged vehicles, a red 2013 Toyota Sienna, was traveling westbound on 159th and struck a vehicle near Pulaski Avenue at approximately 6 p.m., according to Sophia Ansari, press secretary for the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The Toyota continued westbound on 159th and struck several more vehicles headed in both directions on 159th.

A 42-year-old Lansing woman, who was driving a white, 2014 Toyota Corolla, was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, Ansari said. A passenger in the Toyota was also taken to an area hospital for treatment.

The chase ended when the suspect vehicle crashed into a fence.

The other vehicle was previously stopped in Bolingbrook, where Cortize Shelton, 23, of Chicago was taken into custody. He has been charged with armed robbery, unlawful restraint and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

One additional suspect was taken into custody after the crash in Oak Forest, but the alleged offender has not been named by authorities as of 10 p.m. Wednesday night.

The search was still on, as of Wednesday night, for 2-3 other suspects, police said.