WEST TOWN — Two carjackings involving multiple thieves — one of whom is either armed with a gun or implies having a weapon — have happened within the past two weeks in West Town, police warn.
In a community alert sent on Sunday to residents of the Near West (12th) district, police said drivers were standing near their cars when they were approached by one or more robbers who either showed a handgun or implied that they had one.
The carjackers demanded the victims’ car keys and drove away in the cars, according to the alert.
In one of the cases, the carjacker was joined by other people who also got inside the victim’s vehicle before driving off together.
The carjackings occurred at the following times and dates:
- 12:15 a.m. in the 2000 Block of West Huron Street on Sunday, Oct. 28.
- 6:30 a.m. in the 1100 Block of North Wolcott Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 30. That location is near LaSalle II Magnet School.
In the first instance on Huron Street in West Town, there were four people involved: three men and a women, and all appeared to be in their late teens, between 17-20 years old, police said. One of the men was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and the woman with the three men had “a wavy hairstyle,” according to the alert.
In the second instance on Wolcott Avenue in East Village, one of the men was between 25-30 years old, about 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 tall and between 150-180 pounds. No detailed description was given for the other man with him or a third offender.
The Huron Street carjacking was captured on surveillance camera.
Security camera footage provided to Block Club by a neighbor captures a couple parking their car, a Volkswagen Tiguan, and then walking away.
About 20 seconds later, four people — one of whom appears to be rifling through a wallet or purse in the far left of the screen — quickly hop into the car and drive away.
The robbery and the victims running away happened just off screen.
Anyone with information can call the Bureau of Detectives — Area Central at 312-747-8380 and reference case JB-493096 and JB-495811.
