Off-Duty CPD Officer exchanges rounds with carjacker in shootout on Near West Side

CHICAGO - A man is in custody this Christmas Eve after police say he crashed an off-duty Chicago Police Officer's vehicle he had just stolen and there was an exchange of gunfire on the city's Near West Side.

The incident happened shortly after 2:00 a.m. at a gas station on the 1500 block of W. Roosevelt in the medical district that's part of the University Village/Little Italy neighborhood on the city's Near West Side.

Police said that an off-duty Chicago cop was filling up their vehicle at the gas station on the above block when someone jumped in and tried to take off. As he attempted to flee the scene, police said he struck a fire hydrant.

The offender reportedly jumped back out of the car and both the victim and the thief fired rounds at each other. Fortunately, no one was hit in the exchange.

With the extreme weather still lingering over the area and there being little to no people venturing outside at that time, responding officers were able to spot the man running away and took him into custody. A weapon was recovered.

Charges are pending while Area 3 Detectives continue to investigate.

The Chicago Journal needs your support.

At just $20/year, your subscription not only helps us grow, it helps maintain our commitment to independent publishing.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE

If you're already a subscriber and you'd like to send a tip to continue to support the Chicago Journal, which we would greatly appreciate, you can do so at the following link:

Send a tip to the Chicago Journal