Cop Fires At Driver Who Tries To Run Him Down In Gold Coast

Updated 11/19/2012 at 4 p.m.

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A Chicago cop fired a shot at driver who tried to run him down on the Gold Coast Sunday evening.

The officer wasn't hurt — nor was the driver in the 6:10 p.m. incident in the first block of East Walton Street, police said.

The officer, responding to a call of a theft in progress on the block, saw the suspects get into a car, police News Affairs Officer Veejay Zala said.

He tried to stop the car, but the driver tried to run him down as he drove off, Zala said.

Fearing for his life, the officer fired at the car.

Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden said a patrolling officer was walking on Rush Street at Walton Street when he saw four males coming out of the American Apparel store with large piles of clothing.

The suspects got into a gray vehicle and began speeding down Walton Street, coming directly towards the officer who was crossing the street to investigate, Camden said.

"He had no place to go," Camden said.

The officer fired one shot at the vehicle to defend himself, Camden said. The vehicle then made a sharp right and continued down Walton, avoiding the officer.

Police are looking for a gray car with four black males inside with a large amount of clothing.

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy says his department's strategies have reduced crime rates in the city. But he concedes just having officers visible on the streets isn't enough to stop crime.

"If you put an officer on the corner, it may not stop crime from happening," he told reporters Monday.