An early-morning ATM heist on Chicago's Southwest Side escalated fast on Saturday, turning into a stolen Cook County Sheriff's squad car, a deputy struck, and a high-speed pursuit down the Dan Ryan Expressway.
According to authorities, four men allegedly tried to yank an ATM from a storefront in Gage Park, then crashed into another vehicle. In the chaos that followed, one of the suspects shoved past a deputy, jumped into the deputy's patrol car, hit the deputy while taking off, and sped onto the expressway. Illinois State Police later stopped the stolen cruiser with spike strips and arrested the driver. The injured deputy was treated for minor injuries and released.
How Police Say It Went Down
Chicago police said the crew pulled up in a dark Jeep around 7:15 a.m. and tried to rip an ATM out of a business on the 2800 block of West 55th Street in Gage Park, according to ABC7 Chicago.
The Jeep later slammed into another SUV near 3100 South California Avenue, close to the Cook County Jail. Officers detained three people at that crash scene, NBC Chicago reported.
Dan Ryan Chase Ends On Spike Strips
One suspect then forced his way into the deputy's idling squad car and took off, striking the officer as he fled, according to CBS Chicago.
Illinois State Police intercepted the stolen cruiser on the Dan Ryan near 78th Street, where troopers deployed spike strips and took the driver into custody before 8:30 a.m. Authorities said the deputy was treated for minor injuries and released, and officers later recovered three firearms at the crash site, per FOX 32.
Another ATM Hit Under The Microscope
Police are also looking at whether an earlier pre-dawn ATM theft at a West Englewood gas station around 4:55 a.m. might be tied to the Gage Park crew, though investigators have not confirmed a connection, according to ABC7 Chicago.
The city has been dealing with a run of smash-and-grab ATM thefts this winter and spring. Hoodline previously pulled together a February roundup on an "ATM theft spree" that outlined similar crews and tactics.
What Investigators Are Doing Now
Area One detectives from the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Sheriff's Office are jointly handling the case. Investigators continue to interview witnesses and go through surveillance footage as they piece together the full timeline, CBS Chicago reports.
Officials have not yet announced charges. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Chicago police tip line while detectives continue building the case.
