Suburban Chicago homeowner exchanges gunfire with suspects trying to steal car

Three people who attempted to steal a car in Winnetka exchanged gunfire with the homeowner early Monday.

Shortly after 5 a.m., the homeowner confronted the three suspects in the 400 block of Sheridan Road. 

During the encounter, the homeowner exchanged gunfire with one of the offenders, Winnetka police said. No one was injured.

Two suspects fled in an unknown vehicle, and one offender fled on foot. 

Police closed Sheridan Road between Willow Road and Ash Street to investigate. 

Police said one suspect of an unknown race and gender was wearing a black mask, dark hoodie, dark athletic pants, and athletic shoes.

The second suspect, also of an unknown race and gender, was wearing a black mask, white hoodie, and dark pants. The third suspect was believed to be driving a 4-door silver Audi sedan.  

According to the police department's 2022 annual report, the village reported three car thefts in 2023, 17 in 2022, and just two in 2021. So far, in 2024, police reported two car thefts.