Security guards fire shots at would-be armored truck robbers in Chicago suburb
COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, Ill. (CBS) -- Security guards fired shots at a group of would-be robbers who targeted an armored truck outside a Walmart store Monday morning in south suburban Country Club Hills.
The robbery attempt happened at 10:20 a.m. outside the Walmart at 167th Street and Pulaski Road, according to the FBI.
"A sedan approached at a high rate of speed," said FBI Special Agent Siobhan Johnson. "While that sedan was pulling up, the occupants inside engaged in gunfire with those who were inside of the armored car."
Security guards from the store also fired shots at the suspects, who fled the scene without getting any money from the truck.
The FBI said it is believed one of the suspects was hit by the bullet.
The crew did not get away with any money, but they did get away in a car they stole from the parking lot. Johnson said the suspects left the wrecked sedan behind and carjacked a senior for a getaway vehicle.
Both federal investigators and local police scoured the area for hours as the investigation continued.
As of late Monday afternoon, police tape still blocked off the Loomis armored truck and the mangled gray sedan that crashed into it. Several evidence markers were also in place.
The Walmart remained closed.
A spokesperson for Walmart told us in a statement: "The safety of everyone associated with our stores is our top priority. We will work closely with local law enforcement through the course of their investigation and refer any additional questions to them."
Loomis said in a statement: "Loomis was involved with the incident you referenced below. We are currently cooperating with law enforcement and have no other information at this time."
The FBI said a $20,000 reward is being offered for any information on recent armored car robberies.
Meantime, a bank robbery happened a short time earlier Monday in Matteson, at 4350 Lincoln Highway, less than 10 miles away.
The FBI said the robbers did get away with money, but they would not say how much.
The FBI says one of the suspects was shot. That person got away.
The FBI would not say who fired the shot or shots.
The FBI said it is exploring the possibility of a connection between the two crimes.
There is no known ongoing threat to public safety at this time, according to the FBI.
We've tracked a rash of armored truck robberies at CBS 2.
Last month, an armored truck was held up outside a Food 4 Less store in Chicago Heights. One of the suspects ended up getting hit by the armored truck.
In April, three armored trucks were held up at gunpoint – each a few hours apart – in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood and in south suburban Calumet City.
In March, a suspected thief grabbed bags and ran from a Brinks truck in Orland Park.
And in February, an armored car guard was shot and hit in the bulletproof vest in Chatham.
Anyone with information on the latest attempted armored truck robbery is asked to call Country Club Hills police at (708) 798-3191, or the Chicago FBI office at (312) 421-6700.
