Sandy MaloneChicago, IL – A woman sprayed two Chicago police officers with mace as they were arresting an armed man in the South Austin neighborhood on Monday night.
Police said the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. on Aug. 1 in the 5000-block of West Gladys near Lavergne Avenue after officers saw a man walking down the street with a gun in his waistband, WFLD reported.
Officials said the gunman tried to flee when he saw the approaching police officers.
Officers caught the suspect and took him into custody, WFLD reported.
Officials said police recovered a weapon when they searched the suspect.
As the officers were putting handcuffs on the man, a woman approached them, WFLD reported.
Police said the female suspect sprayed mace at the officers and then fled the scene.
Both officers were transported to the hospital in fair condition, according to WFLD.
They were treated and released later on Monday night.
Officials said the woman who maced the officers has not been arrested, WFLD reported.
Chicago police said the incident remained under investigation.
It has been an especially violent and grueling summer for the members of the Chicago police force.
Violent mobs attacked officers in the vehicles in two separate incidents over July 4th weekend.
The first incident occurred on July 3 at the Six Corners intersection in Portage Park when a violent crowd attacked a Chicago police SUV, WBBM reported.
Police said the officer was patrolling the area when someone threw something at his marked police vehicle and smashed the windshield.
The officer called for backup and when additional officers arrive, the crowd erupted into chaos, WBBM reported.
Cell phone videos of the attack posted to social media showed the crowd surrounding police vehicle and kicking and banging on them.
Some of the mob even jumped on the police vehicles and pounded on the windshields, the videos showed.
One officer was hurt during the melee and had to be transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries, WBBM reported.
Chicago police have not yet made any arrests in connection with that incident.
The second incident occurred shortly after midnight on July 4, FOX News reported.
Cell phone video posted by Town Hall showed a crowd in the Loop advancing on police vehicles that had their lights on as the officers driving slowly backed away.
Video showed fireworks were being shot directly at the police vehicles stopped in traffic, and several of the incendiary devices struck their intended targets and exploded on the hoods or roofs of patrol vehicles.
No injuries were reported during the second attack on law enforcement officers and no arrests were made in connection with the incident, either.
Holly Matkin
