- Credibility:
LITTLE VILLAGE— Police issued a community alert warning drivers about an increase in carjackings across the Ogden (10th) Police District in Little Village and Pilsen.
In six separate incidents, two to six teens or adults approached drivers, pulled a handgun and demanded or took a car by force since mid-December, according to the Chicago Police Department.
The most recent carjacking happened at about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in the 2800 block of South Komensky Avenue.
The other incidents happened at:
- 7:15 p.m. Jan. 19 in the 2300 block South Oakley Avenue
- 7:15 p.m. Jan. 10 in the 3100 block of South Springfield Avenue
- 6:45 a.m Jan. 9 in the 3900 block of West 31st Street
- 9:19 p.m. Dec. 22 in the 2800 block of South Avers Avenue
- 1:50 a.m. Dec. 17 in the 3800 block of West 28th Street
Across the city, Chicago saw an increase in carjackings by 135 percent in 2020. In the first 20 days of 2021, the Chicago Police Department has seen 144 carjackings.
During a recent press conference, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said the spike in carjackings are a “regional and national issue that both urban and suburban cities are experiencing across the country.”
“Law enforcement cannot do this alone. We need everyone, teachers, mentors, coaches, parents, the faith community and others, to help,” Brown said.
In Chicago, most of the thieves are between 15 and 20 years old and their motives include “joyriding and to facilitate anonymity while committing other crimes,” he said.
Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan, speaking with Brown, said the police would be sending additional detectives to investigate carjackings. They’ll also form carjacking teams in each of the city’s five area headquarters.
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