UPDATED: Wednesday, June 9 at 2 p.m.
Multiple police agencies are investigating an alleged carjacking incident that happened in Riverside just after midnight on June 9 and ended when a vehicle suspected of being involved in the incident crashed during a police pursuit near Interstate 55 and Bluff Road in Channahon, about 40 miles southwest of Riverside, at about 12:35 a.m.
Riverside Public Safety Director Matthew Buckley confirmed in a press release issued Wednesday afternoon that the incident unfolded at the 7-Eleven gas station at 2600 Harlem Ave.
The victim, who was not harmed, told police that he was filling up his vehicle at one of the gas pumps at when he was approached by two people, one of them armed with a handgun. The offenders demanded the victim’s wallet, cellphone and vehicle. He complied and the vehicle drove off south on Harlem Avenue. Police received the 911 call from the victim at 12:08 a.m.
The victim gave police descriptions of both his stolen vehicle and another vehicle that the offenders arrived in at the gas station. Police broadcast that information and a Stickney police officer observed the two vehicles at Harlem Avenue and 46th Street in Lyons.
Police pursued the both vehicles south on I-55. The vehicle carjacked in Riverside was able to elude police, but the other vehicle crashed near the Bluff Road exit ramp on I-55.
Two people ran from the crashed vehicle and both were captured a short time later and turned over to Riverside police. No one was injured in the crash, Channahon police reported.
The alleged offenders have not been identified since no one has been charged yet by police. Buckley said the investigation remains active and that more information will be released as it becomes available.
Numerous police agencies are involved in the investigation, said Buckley.
Among the agencies assisting in the pursuit of the vehicle and apprehension of the suspects were the Illinois State Police, Will County Sheriff’s Office, Shorewood Police, Elwood Police, Manhattan Police and Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, according to Channahon police.
