Skip to main content
Record #: R2014-389   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 5/28/2014 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 5/28/2014
Title: Gratitude extended to retired Police Homicide Detective Gerald Hamilton and son Randall Brown on apprehension of automobile thief
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2014-389.pdf
RESOLUTION


WHEREAS, A retired Chicago Homicide Detective and his 28-year-old son have been credited with capturing a suspected car thief in the Hyde Park community on May 10, 2014, following a three-block foot chase; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

WHEREAS, The incident occurred at 11 a.m. in the 5100-block of South Lake Park Avenue when a teenaged suspect jumped inside an unattended BMW that had been, left running at a BP gas station; and

WHEREAS, As the car thief drove off with the vehicle, its owner lunged inside the open driver's side window and grabbed the steering wheel; and

WHEREAS, The BMW spun out of control, struck a nearby Mercedes Benz, and threw the stolen car's owner onto the ground; and

WHEREAS, The stolen car's owner was then pinned beneath and run over by a third vehicle, causing further serious injury; and

WHEREAS, The BMW finally came to a halt when it crashed into a brick wall in the 5200-block of South Lake Park Avenue; and

WHEREAS, When the thief exited the stolen car and attempted to flee, retired Chicago Detective Gerald Hamilton and his son, Randall Brown, jumped into action and gave chase; and

WHEREAS, In an attempt to lose his pursuers, the suspect fled into a nearby L.A. Fitness Club and quickly exited through the back door; and

WHEREAS, Due to Gerald Hamilton's keen instincts and extensive police training, the father-and-son duo anticipated the teenager's every move and finally tackled him in a nearby parking lot; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Hamilton and Randall Brown held onto the teenager until police arrived at the scene and placed him under arrest; and

WHEREAS, Back at the location where the incident began, it took ten people to lift the car off of the 34-year-old victim who was taken by ambulance in serious condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Detective Hamilton retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2010 after serving for 28 yea...

Click here for full text