A man suspected of burglarizing 13 storage units in Merrionette Park was taken into custody in Evergreen Park Tuesday after a two-mile police chase that included K9 units and three helicopters, officials said.
Evergreen Park Police Capt. Peter Donovan said the 23-year-old Chicago man was found by police hiding in a residential yard in the 3100 block of 100th Street.
Evergreen Park police locked down nearby public elementary and high schools.
Evergreen Park Community High School Principal William Sanderson said no students were in danger even though the suspect was apprehended approximately two blocks south of the school. Sanderson said the security measures were in effect from 7:20 a.m. until approximately 8:40 a.m., when the suspect was apprehended. Evergreen Park Elementary School District Spokeswoman Claudia Parker said her school district also conducted limited security measures.
Merrionette Police said in a statement that the man was first spotted inside the security fencing at a Public Storage operation in Merrionette Park and fled when approached by an officer. Police later determined 13 storage units had been broken into and are currently contacting the owners, police said.
Dennis Sullivan is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.