An elderly man was tackled to the ground by a suspect who then carjacked him in the parking lot of the Metra station in Waukegan and fled from officers, police said.
The Waukegan Metropolitan Dispatch Center received a 911 call around 6:25 a.m. Friday for a vehicular hijacking at the Metra station, 95 Spring Street in Waukegan.
Police officers arrived and met with the victim, a 73-year-old Waukegan man, according to Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Craig Neal.
He reported that he had just parked his white 2024 Lexus SUV in the parking lot of the train station.
A male black suspect wearing all black clothing jumped in the driver’s seat of the Lexus to steal it, Neal said.
The suspect exited the vehicle and chased after the victim, who was still standing outside the car.
Neal said the suspect tackled the victim to the ground in the parking lot and the two began fighting for possession of the keys.
The suspect was able to steal the key from the victim and run back to the vehicle before driving away.
The victim complained of body pain but refused medical attention.
Officers in the area were able to locate the Lexus fleeing and they attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Neal said.
The suspect refused to stop for the police, who had their emergency lights and sirens activated.
Officers terminated the pursuit due to the reckless driving behavior of the suspect.
Neal said officers were able to utilize Lexus Safety Connect to track the vehicle to a vacant residence in the 1900 block of Lexington Avenue in North Chicago.
The vehicle was turned back over to the victim. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.
The case remains under active investigation by the Waukegan Police Department, Neal added.