Palos Heights Armed Robbery Suspect Caught After Multi-Town Chase

ORLAND PARK, IL — A man taken into custody in Orland Park Tuesday night after leading police on a multi-town chase is linked to an earlier armed robbery of a wireless store in Palos Heights, police confirmed Wednesday.

Police allege the suspect—whose identity is being withheld pending formal charges—robbed an AT&T store at 11901 S. Harlem Ave. just after 7:15 p.m. The armed suspect waited for a customer inside the store to leave before approaching the employees, brandishing a gun, and grabbing electronics. Employees called police, and when officers arrived, the suspect dropped the goods before fleeing the store, said Palos Heights Police Deputy Chief Mike Yott.

The suspect fled southbound on Harlem Avenue in a white sedan, with police in pursuit. Local police quickly abandoned the chase, alerting nearby departments of the suspect's car. Police said the suspect led police on a chase through Orland Park, Tinley Park, and other towns, before returning to 149th and LaGrange Road, where he barricaded himself inside the vehicle.

Police were eventually able to take the suspect into custody without further incident just before 9 p.m. The suspect and vehicle were both turned over to Palos Heights Police for investigation.

"Orland Park Police did an outstanding job in locating and eventually safely securing the suspect," Yott said. "We are very grateful for their assistance and great work."

There were no injuries reported to employees of the wireless store, Yott said, and the victims are cooperating with police and the Cook County State's Attorney.

Charges are pending, Yott said.