Man Shoots At Tow Truck, Charged With Attempted Murder: Cops

PARK FOREST, IL — A 51-year-old Park Forest man has been charged with attempted murder after shooting at a tow truck driver last week.

Lorenzo Crawford fired shots at the driver as he attempted to repossess a vehicle belonging to Crawford's relative, Park Forest police said Monday. Police learned of the incident when the driver flagged them down in the early morning hours of April 26.

The encounter happened in the the 300 block of Miami Street, around 3:40 a.m. Police said Crawford allegedly saw the driver in the process of repossessing the vehicle. Crawford told police he believed someone was stealing the vehicle, and that he fired one "warning shot." As the tow truck driver left, Crawford then filed three additional shots at the truck, police said. One struck the headrest of the driver's seat, missing the driver.

A search warrant was obtained for Crawford's residence, and police found multiple firearms including the handgun believed to be used in the shooting.

Crawford is a convicted felon, with previous convictions including armed robbery, vehicular invasion, burglary, aggravated battery to a police officer, and drug-related offenses. Crawford was charged with attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm, police said.

He is being held in Cook County Jail with no bond.

The driver was not injured.