Driver Arrested After Chase From Forest Park To Rockford
Updated 01/28/11 - 5:43 p.m.
ROCKFORD (CBS) -- A driver who allegedly pointed a gun at a motorist during a high-speed chase through the western and northwestern suburbs has been arrested in Rockford.
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Forest Park Police Chief Jim Ryan said that the incident began at about 3:15 p.m. when officers spotted a silver Dodge Charger with tinted windows in an area frequented by drug dealers.
Ryan said the driver was acting suspiciously, so police tried to make a traffic stop because of the illegal tinted windows, but the vehicle fled.
Police gave chase and saw the driver pull up behind a car that was blocking his path. The driver rolled down his windows and pointed what appeared to be a shotgun or assault rifle at the other motorist, a woman, forcing her to pull over.
The Charger then continued to flee police, Ryan said. Forest Park police continued their pursuit until the Charger reached Elmhurst, where Elmhurst police took up the chase.
During the chase, the car reached speeds in excess of 90 mph.
Around 4:30 p.m., the car made its way into Rockford, where it weaved its way through several side streets and busy thoroughfares.
Shortly before 5 p.m., the Charger was struck by another car after it ran a red light at Harrison Avenue and 9th Street.
The Charger spun around before coming to a stop several yards past the intersection and the driver got out and tried to flee on foot. But several police officers on foot and in vehicles pinned him in and tackled him and took him into custody.
A passenger in the Charger was seriously injured in the crash and might have been paralyzed, as he was not wearing a seat belt, police said. It was not immediately clear if anyone in the other car was hurt in the crash.
Ryan said the Charger is registered to an owner in far west suburban Freeport. The vehicle's owner has no criminal history.
