3 Flee When Cop Interrupts 7-Eleven Armed Robbery: Palos Heights PD

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — An alert Palos Heights police officer may have interrupted a robbery in progress early Friday morning at a convenience store. The two suspects and their alleged getaway driver fled the scene and are believed to be responsible for a string of other armed robberies in the Chicago region.

Early Friday morning, Palos Heights police were notified of an attempted vehicle theft near Southwest Highway and Harlem Avenue. Minutes before, an armed robbery was reported in the 11400 block of Harlem Avenue. Police said both incidents involved two men armed with handguns.

Just after 2 a.m., a Palos Heights officer was driving through the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 6350 W. 135th St., when the officer observed a man behind the counter pointing a gun at an employee, police said.

When the man saw the patrol car, police said he alerted a second man who was in the store manager’s office. Both ran out the back door. The officer then saw a black Chrysler 200 turning westbound on 135th Street from a neighboring residential street that appeared to be fleeing the scene.

The officer pulled the vehicle over, which was being driven by a woman. The Chrysler initially stopped, but then fled at a high rate of speed as the officer gave verbal commands for the woman to step out of the vehicle, police said.

A vehicle description was broadcast to area law enforcement. Palos Heights police went back to the 7-Eleven store. An employee told police the two men did not get away with any money or merchandise.

Later, Palos Heights police were notified by Chicago police that they had one of the male suspects in police custody, The other man and woman were apprehended in Hammond, Ind., police said.

Palos Heights police expect to interview the three about the attempted 7-Eleven robbery. Charges are pending.