A Waukegan man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly crashed a carjacked SUV into a Lincoln Park garage and then threw a handgun while running from police on Thursday morning.
Police responded to the 900 block of West Schubert at 11:21 a.m. after a witness saw two men run from a vehicle that had crashed into a residential garage, according to a CPD spokesperson. The crashed SUV was reportedly taken in an armed carjacking in suburban North Chicago on Wednesday.
Officers searched the area around the crash site and found 19-year-old Daniel Salas and 18-year-old Jerry Thomas nearby. Police said they matched the descriptions of the two men who were seen running from the SUV moments earlier.
Salas and Thomas ran from police and ignored commands to stop, the spokesperson said. During the chase, officers allegedly saw Salas reach into his waistband, pull out a gun, and throw it against a building.
Officers arrested Salas after he slipped and fell while running on the 2700 block of North Wilton. Thomas was caught on the same block.
Prosecutors charged Salas with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor firearm possession, and misdemeanor criminal trespass to a vehicle.
Thomas, who lives in Uptown, is charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass to a vehicle.
They are both due in bond court on Friday.
Update December 29, 2021 — Salas pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a plea deal. Judge Lauren Edidin sentenced him to one year in prison with 183 days credit for time spent in custody before pleading. He reported to Stateville Correctional Center on December 28 and was released the same day, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records.
