CHICAGO — A cross-town police chase ended with two men in custody and facing felony charges on Tuesday afternoon. But the real story is the video we received — footage that shows a “welcoming committee” of residents waiting for the two men as they screeched to a stop, left the car rolling down the street, and bolted into a residential building as cops hustled to catch up.
The footage from a building in the 6700 block of South Parnell begins with kids milling about on the sidewalk while adults stand on the porch, some talking on phones, others looking to the sky at police and media helicopters shadowing the fleeing car from above.
As the sirens grow louder, the kids run away from the approaching mayhem.
Then, the black Chevy Malibu roars around the corner, and two men bail out. A woman waiting by the front gate jumps up and down excitedly as another woman hurries the two fleeing men through the gate and into the home. Watch:
As cops run toward the building, one of the women slams the gate in front of them, seemingly hoping to keep the officers out. It didn’t work.
It all started when officers responded to a call of a person with a gun inside a Chevy Malibu near the 4200 block of South Wentworth at 1:38 p.m., according to a CPD spokesperson. The police located the car in the 6300 block of South King Drive and chased it from one end of town to another, according to Mike Lorber, NBC5’s helicopter reporter.
After the men bailed out, cops surrounded the building. NBC’s footage showed officers kicking down a third-floor door on the back side of the building. (Note: NBC’s reporter, citing police radio traffic, said he thought police were chasing the vehicle because it had been carjacked. In fact, the carjacked vehicle was a separate incident unfolding around the same time.)
The police spokesperson said two men were taken into custody: Jeremiah Vaughn, 18, and Jermaine Wilson, 23. Vaughn lives in the building on Parnell, while Wilson lives in the 800 block of West Grace in Lakeview.
Vaughn is charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor assault, according to CPD. Wilson is charged with aggravated fleeing, possession of a controlled substance, and driving without a license. He also received a collection of traffic citations.
The men are scheduled to appear in court on the charges Wednesday afternoon.
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