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A Ford Heights man has been charged after allegedly leading police on a chase after attempting to rob a man at gunpoint in front of an off-duty Chicago Police officer early Saturday on the South Side.

James Villareal, 24, of south suburban Ford Heights, was charged Saturday with attempted armed robbery, attempted vehicular hijacking, aggravated assault and three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to a release from police News Affairs.

Just after midnight Saturday, Villareal allegedly approached a man leaving a gas station in the 8700 block of South State Street, brandished a handgun and demanded money from the man, the release said.

When the man did not provide anything of value, Villareal allegedly fired shots at the man and fled the scene on foot.

An off-duty police officer nearby heard the gunshots and saw the man fleeing the scene, the release said. He flagged down a squad car responding to the scene and began to chase the him.

Villareal allegedly ran across the Dan Ryan Expressway in an attempt to elude officers, the release said. He then tried to flag down a passing vehicle, ultimately firing shots at the passing car.

The chase continued as Villareal allegedly attempted to scale a fence and pointed his gun at the off-duty officer, the release said.

The man was taken into police custody near the shoulder of the Dan Ryan, after dropping his gun and once again attempting to flee on foot.

Other responding officers assisted in the arrest.

Villareal was also wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court for a pending battery case, the release said.