(Romeoville, IL) — A suspect has been arrested in the shooting of a police officer during a foot chase in Romeoville early Thursday, according to authorities.

The shooting happened around 12:15 a.m. as officers on patrol were investigating a car that had been reported stolen near Sierra Trail and Summerfield Drive, according to police. They approached the car and a man jumped out and ran off.

The officers chased him and one of them was struck by gunfire in the right shoulder. He was taken to Bolingbrook Hospital and transferred to Loyola University Medical Center, police said.

Romeoville Police Chief Ken Kroll said he was getting “good news” from the hospital about the officer, whom he described as “an outstanding young man” and “one of our best officers.”

The suspect, Samer Hernandez, 29, was found around 5:45 a.m. hiding in shrubs about a mile from the shooting, Kroll said. He was on parole at the time and “has a pretty good criminal history.”

Cook County court records show the suspect has a history of gun charges dating back to 2014. In 2021, he was charged with being an armed habitual criminal. His last recorded address was near where the shooting occurred.

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