VIDEO: Police activity at apartment complex at Salem Avenue and Eastman Street after report of a man with a knife and a gun.
Arlington Heights police received a report about 9:12 p.m. Wednesday of a “man with a knife” in an apartment building in the 300 block of North Salem Avenue. As police responded, a caller also reported that the man was walking toward a blue van and that he may have a gun. Police arrived within two minutes and learned that the man might be inside the van, which was parked at the curb facing eastbound on Eastman Street, just east of Salem Avenue by the Arlington Heights Public Works facility. Police had a spotlight on the van, which was an older model Dodge full-size van.
As police were on scene, witnesses said the last time they saw the offender, he was on the east side of the building. The offenders was described as a male/white wearing a blue jacket. A witness reported that he heard the offender say he was going to shoot police, and that he was mad he had received a parking ticket earlier in the day. Police on the scene also received a report from a witness that the offender had a 45 caliber handgun. Police called for additional backup, a protective shield, and setup a perimeter to apprehend the suspect and protect the public. Police on the exterior were armed with rifles. Westbound Eastman Avenue blocked at Ridge Avenue and Salem Avenue was blocked in both directions near the apartment, which was on the northeast corner of Salem Avenue and Eastman Street.
Police learned that the offender was not in the van. Responding to observations and witness reports they were preparing to search the apartment building — focusing on the fourth floor. Police at one point called out “gun” apparently as a gun was spotted. About 9:30 p.m. Wednesday police reported they had the suspect in custody. Apparently the suspect was resisting arrest and was tasered. Police called for paramedics, and the suspect was transported in custody to Northwest Community Hospital.
Police were sorting out the charges in the arrest of the man — at least resisting arrest.