8 Arrested, 3 Officers Injured After Day of Unrest In Oak Lawn

OAK LAWN, IL — Oak Lawn was a continuous wail of police sirens throughout the day on Sunday after three days of turbulence sparked by George Floyd’s death spread from the city into the south suburbs. Police arrested eight people and three police officers suffered non-life threatening injuries.

“We had plenty of personnel on the streets and preparations in place,” said Div. Chief Gerald Vetter, of the Oak Lawn Police Department. “There were no riots. Nothing was set on fire. Our guys did a fantastic job.”

Three Oak Lawn police officers were treated for non-life threatening injuries. A police sergeant is being treated at Advocate Christ Medical Center when the officer’s car was hit by suspect a fleeing Smoker’s Haven at 9241 S Cicero Ave., Vetter said. Social media rumors of an officer being shot in the village are also untrue.

Oak Lawn’s curfew remains in effect. The village is one of over 40 suburbs that implemented curfews. Residents are asked to stay off the streets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless traveling to and from work, seeking medical care or if you are an essential worker. Some businesses are planning to close early and or remain closed on Monday.

Police are prepared for another round of unrest on Monday. Vetter said some of those causing trouble had out-of-state license plates from Iowa and Indiana.

“We can’t predict what will occur [Monday], but we have made necessary preparations just in case,” Vetter said.

Here is a rundown of Sunday’s burglary (looting) arrests, per the Oak Lawn Police Department:

9500 block of South McVicker - Officers prevented a burglary at Walgreens, 6001 W 95th St. A 21-year-old Riverdale man was found in possession of a pry bar in residential neighborhood near the store. The man allegedly told police he was planning on burglarizing the Walgreens. He was arrested without incident.

Foodies, 9652 Pulaski Road - A 22-year-old Chicago man and a 23-year-old man from Chicago Heights after an apparent burglary attempt at Foodies. The store’s windows were boarded up but the store was open on Monday. Police said that a third suspect fled the scene in a vehicle.

Metro PCS, 8828 S Cicero Ave, Metro PCS - A 50-year-old Chicago man is in custody.

Enterprise, 4700 Southwest Highway - A 23-year-old Chicago man is in custody following a burglary at the car rental.

8800 block of Mobile Ave. - Police arrested a 20-year-old Oak Lawn resident who was reported as a “suspicious person.” He was one of two people attempting to damage or burglarize a business in the Jewel Osco-anchored State Road Place, 8700 S. Ridgeland Ave.

Target, 4021 W. 95th St Target - A burglary was reported at Target, which was closed on Sunday as a preventative measure.

At the end of Sunday, what was happening on the streets of Oak Lawn wasn’t nearly as exciting as the unverified reports being broadcast over police scanners or the rumor mongering on social media.

“Please stop with the scanners and referring to incidents in other towns as happening in Oak Lawn,” Vetter said. “The information is causing a panic among residents and its time-consuming to track down where the information is coming from.

“We want residents and business owners to be vigilant. It’s important to call 911 if you see large groups gathering in residential areas or business districts.”