Two men who stole an SUV in River North overnight were involved in “shots fired” incidents in River North and on the Kennedy Expressway less than two hours later, according to initial information.
So far, no injuries have been reported, but when Chicago police recovered the stolen Dodge Journey on the expressway, it was riddled with fresh bullet holes.
Just after 1 a.m. Saturday, a man walked into Jet’s Pizza, 207 West Superior, then walked back out and stole a green Dodge Journey that was parked in front, according to a police report. Another man went along for the ride as his passenger.
About 45 minutes later, shots were fired on the 500 block of West Oak.
Police found shell casings at the scene, and CPD surveillance footage confirmed that the stolen Dodge Journey was involved in the gunfire. No injuries were reported.
Cops rolled up on the stolen SUV on the Kennedy Expressway around 2:45 a.m. The vehicle was crashed near Randolph Street, and officers saw four young men bolt from it and head into the nearby surface streets.
Witnesses told police that they saw a gunman shooting at the SUV from a Chevy Impala as the cars headed down the expressway near Hubbard Street just before it crashed.
Officers searched the nearby neighborhoods, and they two men for questioning, but police let them go after conducting a street investigation, according to CPD documents.
The Dodge Journey had bullet holes throughout its driver’s side. Another bullet pierced its windshield. On a positive note, the pizza parlor’s security cameras captured clear images of the man who stole the SUV when he walked into the shop.
Detectives are investigating.