Tinley Park police officer injured in vehicle burglary incident
In a photo released by the Tinley Park Police Department, a suspect in a vehicular burglary is shown on Oct. 17. PHOTO SUBMITTED
By Jon DePaolis
TINLEY PARK, Ill. – A Tinley Park police officer responding to a vehicular burglary call on Oct. 17 was injured, according to a press release issued by the police department.
The officer – who was not named in the statement – responded to the call at a fast food restaurant in the 7200 block of W. 191st St.
“The caller reported a man exiting a white Dodge Durango with Texas plates and entering an unlocked BMW,” the press release stated. “According to the caller, the man dug through the car and then returned to the Durango, which then drove away. Moments later, the caller said they located the owner of the BMW, who confirmed that items were missing from the car.
“Once at the scene, the officer and the caller found the Durango parked unoccupied in the fire lane at [a nearby business]. As the officer approached on foot, two men exited the store and immediately got into the Durango.
“In an attempt to stop the men, the officer opened the driver’s side door and reached in to grab the driver. The Durango sped away, trapping the officer in the car. With the officer hanging out of the vehicle, the Durango sped away from the scene at a high rate of speed, disobeyed a stop sign, lost control and then crashed head-on into a tree. The men were able to flee from the vehicle and escape.”
The officer was transported to Silver Cross Hospital for treatment for “several injuries,” however, no other update was given as to the officer’s health after the incident.
Police also sent out two images with the news release, including this:
