BB Gun Carjacker Caught at Metra Stop, Cops Say

Authorities said they finally caught up with a man accused of using a BB gun last week at an Orland Park restaurant.

A Midlothian police officer saw people he described as "suspicious" milling around at about 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Midlothian Metra stop, 3750 W. 147th St. The officer recognized most of the people from past contacts, but didn’t recognize Jonathan Sarolas, 23, of the 13500 block of Erin Drive in Homer Glen, said Orland Park Police Commander John Keating on Sunday.

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Sarolas gave the officer a false name when he was approached, according to a release from the . He then took off running from the officer, and Midlothian police caught him after a chase, according to the release. Police learned his real name and also discovered his active warrant out of Orland Park, which was issued after he carjacked a woman at Red Lobster and evaded Orland police during a chase.

The robbery victim positively identified Sarolas in a line-up, and he reportedly admitted to his role in the carjacking.

The incident occurred on June 25 around midnight, when the employee was getting into her car after working at Red Lobster in Orland Park. It was about that time , police said. , of the 2700 block of Windham Terrace Drive in Woodriver, then got into the car, and the two sped south on LaGrange Road, according to police.

Patrol officers saw the car on LaGrange and followed it. Sarolas and Schmidt turned west on 167th Street while police tailed, and then turned onto Liberty Drive where they hit a dead end, according to reports.  

Sarolas fled on foot into a heavily wooded area, while Schmidt was caught by police, according to authorities. All of the employee’s property, including the car and a purse, were fully recovered without any damage.

Authorities from , , , Joliet and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office searched the woods using a bloodhound and helicopter for support. But Sarolas wasn’t found.

He was officially charged Friday with aggravated vehicular hijacking, a Class X felony. He was being held without bail after a hearing on Saturday, and is scheduled to be back in court on Monday.

Sarolas was released from state prison on June 14 after serving a sentence for burglary convictions, police said.

Schmidt is expected to be back in court on July 16.

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