2 teens charged after shooting, police chase in Chicago’s north suburbs

LAKE CO., Ill. - Two teenagers were charged with gun possession after a shooting and a wild police chase early Sunday morning in north suburban Lake County.

Jonathan Garcia, 18, and a 16-year-old boy, were both charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Jonathan Garcia, 18

Prosecutors said the alleged crimes were tied to the shooting of two women in Beach Park around 2 a.m. on Sunday. One woman was shot in the eye while the other was shot in her leg. Both were taken to a local hospital but were expected to survive.

Police identified the suspect car, a Dodge Charger, in that shooting and tried to stop it several times. Officers from three different agencies attempted to chase the car, but nearly every time, it sped away, even after one officer used a tire deflation device.

Eventually, the car crashed into a heavily wooded area near Route 173 and Joana Avenue in Zion and police arrested two people. Officers also found a rifle and pistol in the car and another pistol in a backyard near where one of the suspects was arrested.

Officers also found a rifle and pistol in the car and another pistol in a backyard near where one of the suspects was arrested.

Police said they believe the Dodge was stolen out of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

Garcia was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Monday where prosecutors will ask that he be held in jail while he awaits trial.

The 16-year-old was taken to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Center in Vernon Hills and a hearing will take place to determine if he will also be detained.

Police also believe there was a third person who was driving the suspect car who eluded police. Lake County sheriff’s detectives were working to verify that information and arrest that person.