14-year-old killed in attempted car theft, 5 others arrested after high-speed chase from Lake County to Chicago

CHICAGO — A 14-year-old male is dead and five others are in custody following an attempted auto theft, fatal shooting and high-speed chase from rural Lake County to Chicago.

Authorities said it all started around 1 a.m. Tuesday with an attempted auto theft in the small town of Old Mill Creek. A homeowner ended up alerting police of the crime in progress, and also opened fire on the group of individuals — adults and juveniles — trying to steal his vehicle.

The group fled the scene in a black Lexus SUV that was stolen over the weekend. The offenders stopped near Route 132 and Hunt Club Road in Gurnee and dropped off a 14-year-old, who had a gunshot wound to his head area, and another man. A Gurnee police officer, who was in the area investigating an unrelated crash, began first aid on the 14-year-old and called for an ambulance.

The 14-year-old was taken to Condell Medical Center, where he later died. A 17-year-old male was taken into custody at the crash scene in Gurnee.

Gurnee police gave chase to the group in the Lexus, which was heading toward Chicago. It was pursued by Lake County sheriff's officers first, then Illinois State Police took over the chase on southbound Interstate 94 near the Dempster Street exit in Skokie.

The group got off the Kennedy Expressway at Randolph and Halsted in Chicago, abandoned the Lexus and took off running. Three suspects, ages 16, 17 and 18, were arrested. A 17-year-old male, who was able to getaway, was later found hiding in a dumpster near Soho House Chicago, and was arrested.

“Certainly it’s a tragic incident. Anytime there’s a loss of life it’s a tragedy; however, we are thankful for the assistance of the Gurnee Police Department and the Illinois State Police. Certainly a collaborative effort by law enforcement to quickly identify what occurred, into custody," said Sgt. Christopher Covelli, Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Of the five surviving criminals, deputies said one is female. All of them have been transported back to Lake County to be held, and charges are pending.

source: https://wgntv.com

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