Suspect Stole Cook Co. Sheriff’s Squad Car, Injuring Deputy During Dan Ryan Chase: Police

COOK COUNTY, IL — A man accused in a failed ATM theft led police on a chase Saturday after allegedly stealing a Cook County Sheriff’s squad car and hitting a deputy before fleeing on the Dan Ryan Expressway, according to authorities.

Police were first called to the area of West 55th Street near South California Avenue in Gage Park at about 7:15 a.m. for a report of four men in a dark-colored Jeep who attempted to steal an ATM, according to NBC 5 Chicago. The Jeep then hit a vehicle near the Cook County Jail at West 31st Street and South California Avenue.

Police said a deputy patrolling the perimeter of the Cook County Jail stopped when he spotted the crash around 7:30 a.m. and one of the four suspects pushed past the deputy and jumped into the squad car, according to ABC 7 Chicago. Despite the deputy trying to pull the suspect from the squad car, the suspect drove away and also hit the officer.

The suspect led police on a chase and was eventually apprehended in the 7800 block of the northbound Dan Ryan Expressway, according to WGN-TV. The deputy was taken to a hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and later released.