A dramatic incident unfolded on Chicago’s West Side on Friday involving a stolen ambulance, multiple collisions, and gunfire from police, leading to the arrest of a suspect now charged with numerous felonies.
Lamont Hill, a 59-year-old Chicago resident, faces 19 felony counts, including charges of aggravated battery against Chicago police officers, according to an announcement made by CPD officials on Sunday.
The footage above is sourced from an earlier news report.
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The Chicago police mounted a large-scale operation in response to the ambulance theft and ensuing chase, which triggered a series of accidents.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) has launched an investigation into the police-involved shooting that occurred during one of the crashes as the pursuit unfolded.
According to Cicero police, the ambulance was reported stolen from Loretto Hospital.
Chopper 7 was over the scene as the ambulance crashed near Chicago and Cicero avenues on Chicago’s West Side. It rear-ended a civilian vehicle, ending a police pursuit that lasted roughly 30 minutes.
Dozens of CPD squad cars responded to the area, and a large group of officers were seen quickly jumping into action after the suspect fled on foot from the ambulance driver seat to take him into custody.
All of it started at Loretto Hospital before 4 p.m. Friday, where Cicero officials say three paramedics were bringing a patient in. At the same time, hospital security was escorting another man outside when they say that man, later identified as Hill, ran into the ambulance and drove away, all while one of those paramedics was still inside the ambulance. Officials say that paramedic ended up jumping out of the ambulance about two blocks away.
The stolen ambulance hit two CPD squad cars at West Jackson Boulevard and South Central Avenue in the Austin neighborhood, prior to the crash and arrest at Chicago and Cicero avenues. COPA said it was investigating a police-involved shooting near 300 S. Central, and CPD officials later confirmed shots were fired by an officer towards the offender, but no one was struck by the gunfire.
CPD officials confirmed at least three CPD squad cars and multiple civilian vehicles were struck by the ambulance during the chase. Three officers and four crash victims were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, and the suspect was also taken to a hospital after their arrest.
Chicago police said Hill is facing the following charges:
-Two (2) felony counts – Aggravated Battery/Peace Officer
-Six (6) felony counts – Criminal Damage/Government Property/>$500-$10K
-One (1) felony count – Vehicular Hijacking
-One (1) felony count – Poss 2nd Division Veh/Stolen
-One (1) felony count – Kidnapping – Force or Threat of Force
-One (1) felony count – Attempt Disarm PC Off/Corr Inst Emp
-Two (2) felony counts – IVC – Leave Scene of Accident – Injury/Death
-Two (2) felony counts – Agg Reckless Drvg/Bodily Harm
-One (1) felony count – IVC – Aggravated Fleeing/Bodily Injury
-One (1) felony count – IVC – Agg Fleeing/Damage>$300 Prop
-One (1) felony count – IVC – Agg Fleeing/2+ Con Devices
Hill is scheduled to appear in court Monday.
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