Cop Chase With Stolen Vehicle Ends With 5 Injured, 2 Crashes: Police

BRIDGEVIEW, IL -- Two juveniles were taken into custody Wednesday evening after a car chase through Hickory Hills and Bridgeview in a vehicle that had been reported stolen. Five people were left injured after two chase-involved crashes, Bridgeview police said.

The chase started around 6 p.m. when Hickory Hills police were following a suspicious vehicle. Officers quickly ascertained that the car was stolen. The allegedly stolen vehicle was being driven by two juveniles, ages 16 and 17. Hickory Hills police said the car sped up and the chase was on.

The suspects’ vehicle drove into Bridgeview, where police there were monitoring the pursuit for support. The suspicious vehicle crashed into a civilian van with four passengers at 83rd Street and Harlem Avenue, said Ray Hanania, spokesman for the Bridgeview Police Department.

Both juvenile suspects allegedly jumped out of the car and tried to flee the scene. Several other Bridgeview police cars joined the pursuit. Another civilian vehicle crashed into the front wheel of a Bridgeview patrol car and broke the vehicle’s tie rod.

Police were eventually able to capture the two juvenile suspects who are expected to face several charges. The 17-year-old, who was the passenger, is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. The 16-year-old is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license.

Five people were taken to area hospitals as a precaution. None of the individuals had serious injuries and they were all released.

The suspects were identified as being residents from the Village of Justice.