TINLEY PARK, Ill. — A south suburban homeowner saw armed men in his backyard Monday morning and helped police track the suspects during a manhunt and shelter-in-place that ended with three people in custody and two still on the run.
Authorities first told WGN News that five suspects had been arrested, but later corrected the information. Police now confirm they have three suspects in custody and one hospitalized with injuries, while two remain at large.
The manhunt began early Monday after a 911 caller reported to Matteson police that several men dressed in black and carrying guns were acting suspiciously along Central Avenue south of Vollmer Road.
Officials said the five suspects had been trying to break into vehicles.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office issued a shelter-in-place just after 6:30 a.m. Monday for the area of Harlem Avenue and Vollmer Road in Frankfort Square. They urged nearby residents to stay inside and keep their doors locked.
Tinley Park and Matteson police joined the sheriff’s office in the search for the men. By 8:40 a.m., authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order.
“Deputies and various other law enforcement agencies searched the vicinity and have given the all clear. We will update the public if any further information becomes available,” the Will County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook.
A homeowner, who requested anonymity, said he never expected to see two men breaking into his backyard after hearing that authorities were searching for five suspects.
“I look at the camera, and sure enough, there are two younger gentlemen running from our backyard to our front yard, so I run out the back to try and catch them,” he said.
He explained that he immediately called 911 to help officers track the men.
“I was on the phone with the dispatch the entire time, just following them around the block to make sure I didn’t lose them so when the police showed up, I could tell them where they were,” he said.
When he returned home and checked his security cameras, the homeowner made another startling discovery.
“I actually discovered, crazy enough, around 5:45 in the morning, two of them had hopped my neighbor’s fence and got into my yard,” he said. “It’s not a good feeling, and it’s not the first time we had violence come over from different neighborhoods and just shady characters roll into our neighborhood. It’s unfortunate.”
The investigation is ongoing, and charges are pending for the three arrested suspects.
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