Police search for 2 suspects in Orland Park after Matteson carjacking, police chase

ByAlexis McAdams WLS logo
Monday, December 17, 2018
Teen carjackers lead police on high-speed chase
A group of three teenagers lead police on an 18-mile, high-speed chase in a stolen van Monday morning.

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Police in Orland Park searched for two teenage suspects after a carjacking in Matteson Monday morning, Orland Park police said.

The victim, a 22-year-old mother, said she was sitting in her car outside her home in Matteson when she was approached by three teenagers.

The victim said one of the teenagers got into the back seat and another opened the driver's side door and threatened her with a gun. Investigators said three suspects pistol-whipped a woman and took her car, wallet and phone.

The attackers then went on a high-speed joyride, leading police on a chase that ended in a crash in the area of 153rd Street and Hilltop Drive, nearly 18 miles away in Orland Park.

"There was a vehicle that just pulled up on my neighbor's front lawn, both car doors were open and I saw the tail end of someone running. You could see anything it was dark. And then the squad cars started pulling up. It was crazy. They were coming from both ends on this block," said witness Dawn Cronin.

One 16-year-old was taken into custody at the scene and two others fled, police said.

Police were seen searching the backyards of homes in Orland Park after a carjacking in Matteson Monday morning.

"Our investigation was to locate the subjects in Orland Park we got one and the other two are at large at this time," said Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy.

Chopper 7HD flew overhead as police officers were seen walking through backyards of nearby homes searching for the carjacking suspects. Dawn Cronin woke up to find dozens of police officers and K-9 units searching the backyard of her home in Orland Park.

"There was a vehicle that just pulled up on my neighbor's front lawn, both car doors were open and I saw the tail end of someone running," she said.

Police said one of the suspects may be armed. Later Monday morning, Orland police said that they believe the suspects moved out of the area.

The search led to a lockdown at Carl Sandburg High School, school officials said. The lockdown has since been lifted. Parents received a voice message from the school.

"We believe the other two suspects have fled Orland Park based upon some witnesses we have found, and people who have called in," said Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy. "Our concern was that they would try to break into a house, break into a car."