Stolen Jeep crashes, 14-year-old arrested: Tinley police

Suspects dressed in black and wearing face masks fled when police arrived early Friday morning, officials said.

Jul 26, 2024 3:45pm CDT | Updated Jul 26, 2024 3:46 PM CDT

TINLEY PARK, IL — A group of masked suspects fled from police and a 14-year-old was arrested after a stolen Jeep crashed into a mailbox Friday morning, Tinley Park police said.

Officers responded to the scene just after 6 a.m. after a resident reported that a white Ford Explorer had pulled up in front of her home and a male suspect was pulling on the door handles of vehicles parked in the driveway in the 8100 block of 174th Place.

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When officers arrived, they found the Ford Explorer and a red Jeep Cherokee parked on the road in the 8000 block of Apache Trail. Police said both vehicles were occupied by suspects dressed in black and wearing face masks.

As officers approached, both vehicles fled, heading south on 80th Avenue. Police said officers attempted a traffic stop, but both vehicles continued south.

At the intersection of 183rd Street and 80th Street, the white Ford Explorer turned east and the Jeep Cherokee continued south.

According to police, the officers lost contact with the Ford Explorer, but were able to maintain visual contact with the red Jeep.

Moments later, police said, the Jeep veered into a residential area, lost control and struck a mailbox before coming to a rest in a nearby yard. Police determined the Jeep Cherokee had recently been stolen from the 8800 block of Woodbine Court, officials said.

The driver fled on foot. After a foot chase, Tinley Park officers were able to arrest a 14-year-old juvenile, police said. The teen was taken to the police station and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle before being released to his parents.

Additional charges are pending review by the Will County Prosecutor’s Office.

After the teen was arrested, officers set up a perimeter and deployed a drone, but no other suspects were found.