Four in custody after wild police chase

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Derek Burns / photo from Chicago Police

Updated: September 28, 2011 11:44AM

A police chase through Chicago’s Southwest Side and Bridgeview Tuesday night ended with the arrest of a 39-year-old man and three teens, one of whom allegedly punched a responding police officer after the car crashed into a police vehicle.

The incident began at 8:50 p.m. near 6400 South Archer Avenue, according to police. Officers attempted to pull over a 2002 tan Dodge Neon -- which they later discovered had been reported stolen out of Portage, Ind. -- for a traffic violation, but the driver refused to stop.

The car, driven by 18-year-old Derek Burns, swerved into a marked police vehicle and struck the police car during the pursuit. The chase continued into the 7700 block of South Oketo in Bridgeview, where the fleeing vehicle stopped because of a flat tire, police said.

Derek Burns and a front-seat passenger, 18-year-old Alexander Mullican, attempted to run, but were soon apprehended. While he was being taken into custody, Derek Burns punched an officer in the face, according to police.

The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment of a minor injury.

Mullican was taken into custody without incident at 79th and Harlem. Two back-seat passengers, who stayed behind, were also arrested.

Derek Burns, of the 5900 block of West 55th Street, was charged with unlawful possession of a motor vehicle, aggravated battery to a police officer, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated fleeing and eluding, two counts of misdemeanor DUI, and a traffic citation for not using turn signals.

Mullican, of the 6100 block of West 82nd St. in Burbank, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass to a vehicle.

Scott Burns, 39, of the 5900 block of West 55th St., and a 17-year-old boy from Burbank were charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle.

Derek Burns and Alexander Mullican were scheduled to appear in bond court Wednesday, police said. Scott Burns and the 17-year-old will appear in Misdemeanor Court at a later date.