Homeowner spotted armed suspects in backyard during south suburban manhunt, shelter-in-place

TINLEY PARK, Ill. (WGN) — A search continues in the south suburbs on Tuesday as authorities work to locate two car burglary suspects who were the subject of a manhunt on Monday.

According to police, it all began in the early morning hours after Matteson police received a call about a group of armed men gathered along Central Avenue, south of Vollmer Road, dressed in dark clothing and allegedly acting suspiciously.

Further investigation indicated that the group was allegedly breaking into cars in the area.

When officers arrived on the scene, police say the suspects allegedly fled in a car, eventually making their way to nearby Frankfort Square, where officers said they attempted to switch cars amid the attempted getaway.

Officers caught up with the group as they attempted to make the alleged switch and were able to arrest three suspects, but at least two others got away.

Police then initiated a manhunt for the individuals.

The search prompted the Will County Sheriff’s Office to announce a shelter-in-place order just after 6:30 a.m. Monday for the area of Harlem Avenue and Vollmer Road in Frankfort Square. Residents in the immediate area were urged to stay inside with their doors locked.

Tinley Park and Matteson police, along with the sheriff’s office, assisted in the search for the men and the shelter-in-place had been lifted by 8:40 a.m.

“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 to Facebook.

A homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, says after hearing that authorities were looking for five men, he never thought he’d see two people breaking into his backyard.

“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.

The homeowner says he immediately called 911 to help them locate 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 got back home and looked at his security cameras, he made another shocking 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,” the homeowner 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 incident remains under investigation. Charges are pending for the three suspects who were arrested.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and authorities did not provide a description of the two individuals at large.

Police have not identified or announced charges against anyone taken into custody.