Park Forest barricade situation ends, suspects at large

PARK FOREST, Ill. (WLS) -- Park Forest police officers are searching for burglary suspects following the end of a barricade situation a home in the 100-block of Hemlock Street.

Police initially responded to a call of a burglary in progress Monday afternoon. Witnesses told police two suspects had fled the scene of the burglary into a nearby home. Police were able to corroborate the witness accounts but unable to establish contact with the suspects, who they believed to be armed.

After several hours, Park Forest police released smoke and then went in to the home only to find no suspects inside. Police said they did recover some of the properly apparently take in the burglary.

Cell phone video shows South Suburban Emergency Response Team officers getting residents out of the area.

"It's quiet. But this is unusual for us to see. And it's never been like this before, I'll be here three years, going on three years, and I don't know if I'll stay or go," said resident Mary Callahan.

"It appears that sometime between our witnesses calling and our arrival several minutes later, that they fled the residence," said Park Forest Police Deputy Chief Christopher Mannino.

Police are not sure how the burglars managed to give them the slip and the investigation is ongoing. There is only a vague description of the suspects. No one is yet in custody.