Carjacking Suspect, 15, Tied To Palos Carjacking Captured In Joliet

JOLIET — 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 unincorporated Palos Township, according to Joliet police.

Around 4:40 a.m. Friday, Cook County Sheriff’s Police responded to a report of a carjacking at the intersection of LaGrange Road and West 107th Street in unincorporated Palos Township. The 47-year-old driver said he was at a red light when his car was bumped by another vehicle.

When the driver got out of his vehicle to inspect the damage, a second vehicle pulled up next to his vehicle. Three males wearing ski masks exited from the two vehicles, brandishing guns. They demanded the victim’s keys and cell phone. Police said one of the purported carjackers drove off in the man’s car, while the other two got back into the other vehicles and fled.

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

According to English, the following events took place:

• 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.

~ This story will be updated when more information becomes available.