CHICAGO (WLS) — There was a massive Chicago police response Friday afternoon during a stolen ambulance pursuit on the West Side. A man was detained by police.
COPA is also investigating a police-involved shooting where shots were fired by police during one of several crashes amid the ambulance chase.
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Cicero police said the ambulance was stolen from Loretto Hospital.
Chopper 7 was over the scene as the ambulance crashed around 4:02 p.m. near Chicago and Cicero avenues on Chicago’s West Side. It rear-ended a civilian vehicle, ending a police pursuit that lasted roughly 30 minutes.
Dozens of CPD squad cars responded to the area, and a large group of officers were seen quickly jumping into action after the suspect fled on foot from the ambulance driver seat to take him into custody.
All of it started at Loretto Hospital before 4 p.m., where Cicero officials say three paramedics were bringing a patient in. At the same time, hospital security was escorting another man outside when they say that man ran into the ambulance and drove away, all while one of those paramedics was still inside the ambulance. Officials say that paramedic ended up jumping out of the ambulance about two blocks away.
The stolen ambulance hit two CPD squad cars around 3:55 p.m. at West Jackson Boulevard and South Central Avenue in the Austin neighborhood, prior to the crash and arrest at Chicago and Cicero avenues. COPA said it was investigating a police-involved shooting near 300 S. Central, and CPD officials later confirmed shots were fired by an officer towards the offender, but no one was struck by the gunfire.
CPD officials confirmed at least three CPD squad cars and multiple civilian vehicles were struck by the ambulance during the chase. Three officers and four crash victims were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, and the suspect was also taken to a hospital after their arrest.
CPD says no bystanders suffered any serious injuries in the incident.
A man is now in custody, but he has not yet been identified and is not yet known if charges have been filed. COPA and CPD officials are now investigating everything that unfolded.
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