A man is in custody after he allegedly struck a woman in the head with a rifle on a busy Loop street corner Thursday morning, then used the weapon to carjack a woman outside Macy’s on State Street, according to Chicago police. Officers chased after the man, who pointed the gun at cops, then threw it on the ground and ran, according to a CPD statement. Police took him into custody after a short foot chase. No shots were fired.
The events began at 9:46 a.m. on a sidewalk in the 100 block of North Wabash when the man punched a 19-year-old woman in the face and hit her in the head with his rifle, police said
He then openly carried the rifle to the area of Randolph and State, where he allegedly pointed the gun at a 30-year-old woman who was sitting in a car. He demanded her valuables and ordered her to get out of the vehicle, according to police. The woman reportedly complied with his demands, but the offender walked away without taking her car, the CPD statement said.
Several 911 callers reported seeing the man carrying the gun and pointing it at people along State Street as passersby ran for cover, according to dispatch records.
Police located the man and confronted him at gunpoint on the 100 block of North Wabash around 9:49 a.m. The offender pointed the rifle at officers, then dropped the weapon, and ran northbound on Wabash, police said. Cops took him into custody near Wabash and Lake moments later.
The first victim was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment of head injuries. CPD said it was unaware of the woman’s condition.
Area Three detectives are handling the case. CWBChicago will post an updated story when charges are announced.
