Six Chicago teenagers — the oldest 18 — attempted to rob a home in the northern suburb of Old Mill Creed earlier this week. They pulled up to a driveway at about 1:15am and attempted to break into the 75-year-old owner’s car.
According to CNN . . .
The resident saw the headlights of the stolen Lexus they were driving in the area of his driveway. Grabbing his firearm, he left the house and went to the outside of his property, according to Nerheim.
Facing “multiple strangers,” he ordered them off his property, but they “continued to advance on him,” [State Attorney Michael G.] Nerheim said.
One stranger had something in his hand, the resident later explained, and believing himself in danger, the resident fired his gun several times, striking one of the defendants with a single bullet, the prosecutor said.
The teens all ran back to the stolen Lexus and drove away, Nerheim said.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the group in the stolen SUV then approached police officers who were working an accident.
A short time later, the SUV pulled up to Gurnee police officers who were investigating a crash near Route 132 and Hunt Club Road.
The 14-year-old who had been shot and a 17-year-old boy got out of the SUV, Covelli said. The 17-year-old asked for help and an officer called for an ambulance and performed first aid. The four other occupants of the Lexus got back in and sped away onto I-94.
That’s when a high speed chase led back into Chicago. State police finally captured the other four suspects when the stolen SUV ran out of gas.
Four people got out and ran away on foot, but a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl were arrested by state troopers after a brief chase.
The final suspect, a 17-year-old, was tracked to a dumpster in the 100 block of North Green Street by sheriff’s office K9 Dax and his handler, Deputy John Forlenza, [Lake County sheriff’s office spokesman Sgt. Christopher] Covelli said.
Because the homeowner shot and killed one of the intruders, the five surviving suspects have been charged with first degree murder.
“Illinois law has long held felons accountable for any foreseeable deaths that occur during the commission or attempted commission of a ‘forcible felony.’ This includes the death of innocent bystanders in addition to the deaths of co-felons,” State Attorney Michael G. Nerheim said in his statement obtained by CNN on Thursday.
And the homeowner? “We are waiting for the completion of the investigation before making a final decision on charges surrounding the homeowner,” said Nerheim.
According to reports, the homeowner — who had a FOID card as well as a concealed carry permit — walked out onto his front porch to tell the group to get off of his property. Investigators later found a knife on the property that they believe belonged to one of the six suspects.
