Homeowner Exchanges Gunfire With Car Theft Suspects: Police

WILL COUNTY, IL — Residents of Peotone Township were asked to shelter in place on Monday after a homeowner exchanged gunfire with two unknown people who left a stolen car on his property, the Will County Sheriff's Office said in a release.

At 3:50 a.m. Monday, deputies responded to a report of an unknown dark-colored Silverado parked in a driveway on the 28000 block of South 80th Avenue in Peotone Township. The caller told police that they saw two men near the side of their home and exchanged one round of gunfire with one of the men.

The two men then drove off in the Silverado, police said. No one was injured.

The called also told police there was an unknown, unoccupied Volkswagen SUV parked near his barn. Police said the car had a window broken out, and gasoline was poured throughout the inside.

The homeowner told police they believe that the gunfire exchange stopped the suspects from lighting the vehicle on fire. It was later found that the Volkswagen SUV had been stolen out of Skokie, police said.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office put out a 2-mile radius reverse 911 call to area residents warning them to shelter in place while deputies combed the area for the suspects. Sheriff’s deputies and K-9 Units found the Silverado on the 8000 block of W. Offner Road, police said.

Once it was determined that the men had left the area, the 911 alert was cancelled.

During this investigation and several prior motor vehicle thefts reported within the last few weeks, specifically in Wilton, Peotone, Green Garden and Monee Townships, police said that many witnesses have not come forward with information after they have observed suspicious people and vehicles in their neighborhoods.

Police urged residents, "if you see something, say something." You can assist deputies by calling 911, submitting a crime tip at www.willcosheriff.org, or contacting Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or crimestoppersofwillcounty.org. (You may remain anonymous when submitting).

Police said the vehicle thieves are familiar with the area, and are targeting the eastern area of Will County. Most of the vehicles have been stolen in the overnight hours; however, one vehicle was stolen out of an open garage in Peotone in the middle of the day while the residents were home.

"This type of crime is considered a 'crime of opportunity.' Please take the extra few seconds to lock your vehicles at all times. Leaving your vehicle unlocked is an open invitation for these criminals," police said.