Police Chase Through Tinley Park Ends In Arrest 

TINLEY PARK, IL — Police arrested a 36-year-old Chicago man who they said told them he fled and started a police chase because of a suspended license. Lawrence J. Atko faces charges of reckless driving and fleeing/attempting to elude a peace officer, in addition to several traffic-related citations, in connection to a pursuit police say began near 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park around 12:45 a.m. on Jan. 19.

Police said Atko was the driver of a Chevy Trailblazer that turned right on red without stopping at the 183rd and Oak Park intersection and headed westbound on 183rd Street. He is then alleged to have run the red light at 183rd and Harlem Avenue, turn right on Harlem and reach speeds of 85 mph while fleeing from police pursuit southbound past 191st Street.

Atko then turned northeast on Oak Park and northbound back toward 183rd, according to police, before he slowed down and stopped the car at 183rd and Ridgeland Avenue.

Two police officers had to remove Atko from the car, a police report states.

While at the police station, Atko told police he was trying to get away because he knew his license was suspended, according to the report.

"It was a stupid mistake," he is alleged to have told police.