Officer and suspect wounded in Chicago shootout - but the bad guy picked the wrong cop to mess with

CHICAGO, IL— An officer with the Chicago Police Department engaged an armed suspect while responding to a burglary in the Gold Coast neighborhood on Monday morning that involved a vehicle colliding with a storefront. This dangerous and highly damaging type of burglary has been coined a "crash-and-grab" due to the involvement of a vehicle intentionally colliding with a structure.

According to CBS News Chicago, Alderman Brian Hopkins told the outlet that the crash-and-grab burglaries have escalated recently and that there is a need for the city to install security bollards to protect vulnerable storefronts. He told CBS, "These are not property crimes. These are violent, dangerous offenses where lives could possibly be lost, and it needs to be taken that seriously."

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According to The Chicago-Sun Times, the suspect, a 33-year-old man, had fled the scene of the break-in at the Gold Coast Prada store after an unidentified person drove a Dodge Durango into the front entrance at about 4:15 a.m. CST. The suspect, who according to the Sun-Times has a "lengthy criminal record and is wanted by federal authorities," was approached by a CPD officer, described by Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling as a 55-year-old, with 17 years on the force.

The officer ordered the suspect to drop his weapon and was answered with gunfire, leading to "exchange of gunfire," Snelling said. The officer was struck in the leg and the suspect was critically wounded.

Snelling told reporters that responding officers applied a tourniquet to the officer and provided life-saving care to the suspect as well. CBS reports that the officer was released by Monday afternoon and is recuperating with his family. The suspect who was struck by multiple rounds remains in critical condition and has been unable to speak with police.

The Sun-Times reported that per a law enforcement source, he is sedated after undergoing surgery.

Two handguns were reportedly recovered from the scene with extended magazines and were modified to enable fully automatic fire. 

Police seek to charge the suspect with a series of felonies, including two counts of attempted murder, The Sun-Times wrote, citing a police report. The man is reportedly also wanted under a warrant from the U.S. Marshals Service in a firearm-related case. Cook County court records indicated a lengthy history of arrests dating back to 2007, including a 2008 felony burglary conviction. However, many of the 15 cases brought against the man were dropped by district attorneys.


"The preliminary investigation suggests [the officer] was only about seven feet from the offender when gunfire was exchanged," Hopkins told the press.

Law enforcement officials said that two officers returned fire and the scene was described as "littered with shell casings." Surveillance footage of the incident is under review. Hopkins said that four suspect vehicles were involved in the attempted burglary. "I'm deeply concerned about it. These crimes do seem to occur in waves," he added.

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Comments

Robert

Thank God, the Officer was not killed. Thank you for your service SIR. B.L.M. = "BLUE LIVES MATTER". Period

Robert

Thank God, the Officer was not killed. Thank you for your service SIR. B.L.M. = "BLUE LIVES MATTER". Period

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