A Chicago Police officer was in the right place at the right time when he caught a baby thrown to him by a kidnapping suspect in the middle of a West Side street during a kidnapping call early Monday. About 12:30 a.m. officers were on their way to a domestic disturbance call involving a child in the 1500 block of South Pulaski Road, when the call was upgraded to a kidnapping, according to a police report.
When the officer and his partner got to the scene, several citizens pointed out a man in his 20s described to them as the suspect and a woman who told them that man had her baby, who appeared be less than a year old.
The officers approached the man who was walking down the middle of the street with the child in his hands when he turned and threw the baby in the direction of one officer who caught the baby, the report said.
As the officer gave the baby to the mother, the suspect then began punching the officer’s partner and a struggle ensued with the three, lasting several minutes, the report said.
Both officers were injured during the fight. They suffered several lacerations and one had a sprained shoulder. Both had been released from Mount Sinai Hospital.
The report said the officers placed him under arrest after they were able to control him. He was also taken to Mount Sinai where he was being checked for intoxication and because he had been striking his head against something, according to the report.
The mother and baby, who did not appear to be injured, left the scene during the fight.
The relationship between the suspect and the woman and child was not immediately known.
As of early Monday, authorities cannot try to bring an attempted kidnapping charge because the child and mother left, but police said it’s possible the man may be charged with aggravated battery and resisting arrest.
Harrison Area detectives are investigating.
