Charges filed after police officer shot in Romeoville

Charges have been filed after a police officer was shot during a foot chase in Romeoville early Thursday.

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.

Officer Dominic Thielmann chased him and was struck by gunfire in his right shoulder. He was taken to Bolingbrook Hospital and transferred to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition, police said.

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

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

Hernandez was charged with armed robbery in connection with the stolen car. Charges for the shooting of Officer Thielmann are pending, officials said.

He is currently being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility and his bond has been set at $5 million.