3 charged in attempted carjacking of off-duty Chicago police officer

Three teenagers are facing charges after allegedly trying to rob an off-duty Chicago police officer and steal her car and purse Thursday in the Calumet Heights neighborhood.

Kendrick Anderson, 18, was shot in the right leg during an exchange of gunfire after they accosted the officer on a South Side block, according to police, who announced charges against Anderson and two minors Saturday.

The officer had been standing at the trunk of her car just after 6 p.m. in the 8800 block of South Constance Avenue when three people approached and demanded the car and the officer’s belongings, police said.

Anderson was dropped off at Trinity Hospital. He was still hospitalized Saturday but was expected to recover, Cook County prosecutors said during a bail hearing Saturday.

He now faces a felony count of attempted aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, as well as armed robbery with a firearm, authorities said. A judge set bail Saturday at $7 million.

Two other young suspects were arrested in the 8000 block of South Vernon Avenue soon after the carjacking attempt. One boy, 15, is facing a misdemeanor count of criminal trespass of a vehicle, and another, 16, is facing a felony count of possession of a stolen vehicle.

The three had been using a stolen car before and after they went after the off-duty officer, prosecutors said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said it was reviewing the use of force by the off-duty officer, who was placed on routine administrative duties for 30 days.