Suspect stole suburban police vehicle, USPS truck before crashing into family: officials

BEDFORD PARK, Ill. - A chaotic series of events unfolded Wednesday in Chicago's suburbs when a suspect stole a Bedford Park police squad car before hijacking a United States Postal Service truck and crashing into a family of three, officials said.

What we know:

Around 2:45 p.m., Bedford Park police responded to a call for service in the 6800 block of South Archer Road.

When officers arrived, the suspect – who is known to law enforcement – took control of a police vehicle and drove the squad car to 97th Place and Avon Avenue in Chicago Ridge where it either got stuck or became disabled, according to Ray Hanania, a spokesperson for the Village of Bridgeview.

The suspect then forcibly took a USPS truck from a postal worker and drove northbound on Roberts Road.

At some point, the suspect crashed into a family of three — a mother and her two children, ages 4 and 7, Hanania said. All three were transported to different hospitals. Their conditions were not immediately clear.

What we don't know:

The identity of the suspect has not been released, and no charges have yet to be announced.

What's next:

The suspect remains in Bridgeview police custody.

Because a USPS truck was involved, federal investigators are now working the case.