Suspected thief shot, killed by Calumet City Walgreens employee

A man suspected of stealing from a Walgreens in Calumet City was shot and killed Sunday after pulling a gun on a store employee, police said.

As police responded at about 2 a.m. to a theft report at the store, 522 Torrence Ave., the Calumet City 911 Center received notice that shots were fired and the suspected thief had fled the scene in a vehicle.

Investigators said a 42-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman both tried to leave the Walgreens separately without paying for merchandise. Store employees recovered the merchandise from the woman, who ran off, while the man displayed a handgun when he was approached, police said.

A store employee with a concealed carry license shot the man in the chest, and the man drove west before police found him on the 1600 block of Sibley Boulevard. The man died at a hospital.

The Calumet City Police Department encourages anyone with further information to call 708-868-2500.

ostevens@chicagotribune.com