Shots Fired After Resident Confronts Burglar In Skokie Garage: Police

SKOKIE, IL — Police are asking the public for assistance as they search for members of a car burglary crew who opened fire after a resident confronted one of them in his garage.

Shortly before 5:45 a.m., a resident in the 7000 block of Lavergne Avenue noticed two SUVs parked outside with their lights on and several people standing nearby, police said.

Police said the resident heard the sound of a car engine starting coming from his attached garage. When he went to check it out, the resident found someone sitting in the driver's seat of his car.

Once confronted by the resident, the person exited the car and fled into one of the two waiting SUVs, according to an alert from Skokie police.

"As the offender fled the the scene the victim heard three gunshots, with both vehicles leaving northbound at a high rate of speed," police said.

The resident was not injured, no one was struck by the gunfire and police said they are unaware of any ongoing danger to the public.

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Officers found three shell casings in the street and checked the area for video surveillance and evidence of other burglaries.

One of the SUVs was described as a silver Mazda, according to police.

No descriptions of the other vehicle or any of the suspects have yet been released by police.

"We are asking residents in the area to check their video surveillance for any suspicious activity, vehicles, or persons this morning around the time of the call," police said.

Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call the Skokie Police Department.

Police warned members of the public who observe crimes in progress to stay away from those involved, since they may be armed.

Instead, residents were asked to call 911 as soon as it is safe to do so and "attempt to be a good witness."