'Everything was a blur': Suspects in 6 Chicago robberies end hour-long spree with fiery crash

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Four suspects are now in police custody following officer pursuit that ends in a fiery crash.

We're learning those suspects are believed to be behind a series of armed robberies overnight.

The crash happened at the intersection of North Oakley Avenue and West Winona Street in Ravenswood.

Alderman Andre Vasquez said the suspects, now in custody, are believed to behind a series of armed robberies. One of them left a woman badly hurt.

RELATED: Photo of robbery suspect who escapes in U-Haul truck released by Chicago police

"I just feel like crap," said Melissa Oszak, the victim.

The signs of the attack were left apparent on Oszak's face. Now, battered and bruised, she is recovering in a hospital bed after surviving the overnight armed robbery.

"My friends thought that I got shot and whatnot. I was bleeding, and that's when everything was a blur," Oszak said.

Oszak said she was leaving a bar near West Grace Street and North Albany Avenue, around 4 a.m. Monday when at least four people, armed with guns, came out of nowhere, demanding their belongings.

"I'm little, but I talk. I'm not scared. I probably said something and just got pistol-whipped," Oszak said.

She was left unconscious on the ground before being taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital with injuries to her face.

She said her attackers didn't take anything from her, but robbed her friends of their wallets and purse.

The assault, one of at least six armed robberies, police said, happened overnight within one hour. Here are where the other incidents took place:

- 2600-block of West Rice Street at 3 a.m.

- 2400-block of West Berwyn Avenue about 3:15 a.m.

- 4300-block of North Leavitt Street just before 3:20 a.m.

- 3100-block of West Leland Avenue about 3:45 a.m.

- 2300-block of West Superior Street about 4 a.m.

The offenders escaped until hours later, when Vasquez said, police chased down who the group they believe are behind the series of overnight armed robberies.

The four suspects' vehicle crashed into a box truck at Oakley and Winona. While traveling southbound, the suspects' stolen Hyundai struck a Streets & Sanitation vehicle that was stopped at a stop sign, police said. The group tried to escape again, but didn't get far.

"Because we had neighbors who had ring cameras set up, they were able to see the individuals were actually hiding in a garage by one of the apartments," Vasquez said.

Pieces of the crash were picked up and towed away after neighbors were left scared in their own homes as police officers converged on the intersection.

The crash happened just outside of Tiffany Brandt's home. She watched as the suspects were led away by police.

"I think the best possible outcome for a really crazy morning," Brandt said. "The first thing I heard was the crash, but there's construction right here, so my immediate thought was that it was perhaps a nail gun or something. But then, the next thing I heard was the police car go down the alleyway, going probably 60 miles an hour."

Police confirmed that the Hyundai was used in an armed robbery, and said no one was injured in the crash.

"Because we had neighbors who had ring cameras set up, they were able to see the individuals were actually hiding in a garage by one of the apartments, so CPD closed in on it and were able to apprehend four individuals they believe might be associated with a string of robberies and carjackings in the area," Vasquez said.

Oszak said she's expected to be discharged from the hospital on Monday while charges for the suspects are pending. Oszak's mother, Ann Oszak, is thankful the attack wasn't much worse

"When she comes home I'm just going to have to beat her up and hug her," she said.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER | Track crime and safety in your neighborhood