Immigration Agents Detain Polish Immigrant After Chicago Car Chase

Federal immigration agents detained an immigrant Tuesday morning in Chicago’s Northwest Side after a car pursuit ended with a crash, according to federal officials and local reports. Surveillance footage and neighbors confirmed the event.

Home security footage captured two dark vehicles chasing a red car along West Grace Street towards North Olcott Avenue in the Dunning neighborhood at 10:24 a.m. Sirens blared as one car rammed into the red vehicle at the intersection of Grace and Olcott. The red car veered onto Olcott and later crashed into a tree.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a “targeted enforcement operation” that led to the arrest of Konrad Wojciech Darlak, identified as a “criminal illegal alien” from Poland. Darlak attempted to escape, but ICE agents used minimal force to arrest him after the collision.

A doorbell camera captured law enforcement vehicles pursuing the red sedan, ultimately leading to the crash. DHS reported Darlak had previous arrests for possession of dangerous drugs, obstruction, domestic battery, and transport of dangerous materials. He was convicted of retail theft, resisting a peace officer, and domestic battery. Court records revealed Darlak pleaded guilty to charges in 2011 and served community service.

In 2024, Darlak also pleaded guilty to DUI charges and received a year and a half of supervision.

Police reports indicated ICE agents tried to detain Darlak as he entered his car on North Nottingham Avenue. Darlak reversed into their vehicles and attempted to escape, resulting in a chase that concluded with his arrest and transport to Loyola Hospital.

This pursuit followed another recent detainment in Albany Park. Community members protested in Horner Park against federal enforcement actions. Numerous deportations have occurred in the area since the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.

Eyewitness Edward Krueger described seeing unmarked vehicles with lights chasing the car. His home surveillance showed the chase and crash. After seeing federal agents detain Darlak, Krueger expressed frustration, noting the impact of federal actions in his neighborhood. “I’m more negatively impacted by federal agencies than by the people they claim to catch,” he stated.