Multiple police officers, suspect hospitalized after chase, shootout across northern Illinois

SAVANNA, Ill. (WTVO) — A pursuit that began with a stolen car report in Freeport late Wednesday resulted in a chase that led to Savanna, and involved a shootout with police that left multiple officers and the suspect injured.

According to the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, around 10:19 p.m., a Freeport police officer attempted to stop the driver of a stolen car, but the suspect sped from the scene, nearly hitting a squad car and another vehicle in the process.

The officer lost sight of the offender, but later that evening, Jo Daviess deputies spotted the car in Hanover, 42 miles away, and engaged in a pursuit, but the suspect got away.

At 3:40 a.m. Thursday, police 13 miles away in Savanna located the suspect vehicle and another chase began. Authorities said the suspect rammed the squad car and disabled it. At 3:45 a.m., police said shots were fired, and again at 3:48 a.m. as officers and deputies from Carroll County, the Savanna Police Department, and Mount Carroll joined the chase.

The suspect then crashed into a Mount Carroll Police Department squad car at 3:49 a.m. at the intersection of Chicago Street and Park Street in Savanna.

As police closed in, more shots were fired, and ambulances were called to the scene.

Authorities said multiple officers were injured in the incident and were taken to local hospitals for injuries deemed non-life-threatening.

The suspect, as yet unidentified, was airlifted to a regional hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Due to the officer-involved shooting, the Illinois State Police have taken over the investigation, authorities said.