Three Chicago suspects remained in custody Friday after two robberies in suburban Will County, including one involving a 73-year-old woman who was bound and robbed at gunpoint during a home invasion earlier this week.
The 73-year-old was able to escape with the help of a neighbor, officials said.
A gunman confronted her Wednesday afternoon as she was returning to a home in the 16800 block of South Deer Path in Homer Glen after grocery shopping, according to the Will County sheriff’s office.
A second assailant, also male, exited a dark-colored Acura that was confirmed to be stolen out of Chicago and forced her into the home where her ankles and wrists were tied up, authorities said. They then removed her credit card, demanded the pin and withdrew $2,000 from a bank in Orland Park, the sheriff’s office said.
The woman was able to escape 20 minutes later and sought the help of a neighbor, officials said. Police believe the attack was random but targeted because of the woman’s age.
The suspects were arrested Thursday after an area-wide alert was issued regarding an armed robbery that occurred in the 1200 block of Coventry Drive in Lemont, according to the Will County sheriff’s office.
The suspected vehicle involved — a black Acura occupied by two-to-three individuals — matched the description of the persons and vehicle used in the attack of the 73-year-old, officials said.
When Joliet police officers attempted a traffic stop a short time later, the Acura sped away, prompting a “multi-agency pursuit” before the Acrua crashed near U.S. 52 and Rowell Avenue in unincorporated Will County.
The three suspects — one of whom is a juvenile — then fled on foot but were taken into custody a short time later, officials said.
One of the suspects was taken to an area hospital for evaluation while the remaining two were brought to the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex for questioning.
Two guns were recovered and all three suspects, of Chicago, have “extensive” criminal histories including prior weapons-related offenses, the sheriff’s office said.
Chargers were pending.