BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. Three people, including two children, were hospitalized on Wednesday after a crash involving a stolen USPS postal truck that was allegedly being driven by a suspect who had just stolen a police squad car in Bridgeview.

According to Ray Hanania, a spokesperson for the Village of Bridgeview, the alleged crime spree began after officers arrested a person in Bedford Park for disorderly conduct.

Following his arrest, Hanania said it is believed that the suspect was allegedly able to steal a police squad car in Bedford Park.

Hanania said the suspect then allegedly drove the stolen squad car to the Chicago Ridge and Oak Lawn area where he fled from the squad car after it either got stuck or became disabled. 

But after fleeing from the squad car, Hanania said the suspect came across a US Postal Service truck with a postal worker inside.

The suspect then allegedly forced the postal worker out of their vehicle and began driving north along Roberts Road.

After fleeing the scene in the USPS truck, the suspect crashed into another vehicle with a family of three inside, including a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old.

According to Hanania, all three people inside the vehicle that was hit were taken to the hospital, though the extent of their injuries is unclear.

Following the incident, the suspect, who has not yet been identified, was taken into custody by Bridgeview police.

Investigations into the string of thefts are now underway, including one by federal officials, as the incident involved a postal truck.