Suspect held on $5M bond after Romeoville police officer shot in line of duty

Suspect caught after Romeoville officer shot

A suspect was arrested following an officer-involved shooting in Romeoville Thursday morning. Officers exchanged gunfire with a man suspected of stealing a car. An officer was shot in the shoulder. The man as found hiding in bushes near the scene.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - A suspect is in custody after a Romeoville police officer was shot in the line of duty late Wednesday night.

The shooting occurred just after midnight near the intersection of Sierra Trail and Summerfield Drive, according to police.

Samer Hernandez, 29, was arrested. He was out on parole for previous offenses.

Prior to the shooting, officers encountered a vehicle that was reported stolen. When they approached, they saw Hernandez fleeing.

Samer Hernandez (Romeoville Police)

Officer Dominic Thielmann chased him and was struck by gunfire in his right shoulder. He was taken to Bolingbrook Hospital and transferred to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition, police said.

Hernandez was found around 5:45 a.m. less than a mile away from the shooting in a backyard hiding in some shrubbery.

Romeoville police officer shot while investigating stolen vehicle

Romeoville police were investigating a report of a stolen vehicle late Wednesday night. When they approached the suspect, he fled and fired shots. An officer was injured, but he is expected to recover.

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Hernandez was charged with armed robbery in connection with the stolen car. Charges for the shooting of Officer Thielmann are pending, officials said.

He is currently being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $5 million.

Officer Thielmann has been serving the department for at least five years, according to the Romeoville Police Chief Ken Kroll.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.