Source: Suspect in Lakeview robbery of off-duty officer arrested

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An arrest in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood could be a big break in the investigation of a serious crime against a Chicago police officer.

An 18-year-old man was arrested during a traffic stop near the New City Shopping Center near North Halsted Street and West Eastman Court around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. A source told ABC7 Eyewitness News he is a suspect in the armed robbery of an off-duty cop.

Over the weekend, an off-duty police officer and someone he was with were held up by three armed men in the 3100-block of North Ravenswood Avenue. They took their wallets and the officer's handgun and dropped the officer's star nearby, police said.

The source said the 18-year-old man was driving the same black Ford Fusion police were looking for in connection with the robbery and that a weapon was found in the car.

Authorities have not confirmed he is the suspect. Investigators said it's still too early in the investigation.