Carjackings were one of the trendiest criminal acts of the ‘90s.
But city data shows that after years of steady decline, the crime—taking a motorist’s vehicle by force—is soaring back into favor. Through August, “vehicular hijackings” were up 30% year-over-year and up 183% compared to 2015.
The Loop saw a 1200% increase vs. 2015 with River North up 500%. The 19th Police District, which includes Lakeview, Uptown, North Center, and the north end of Lincoln Park, is up 200% compared to two years ago.
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| Gibson (left) and Nance are accused of trying to carjack a Chicago hotel guest’s Audi A5. |
In a recent case that resulted in arrests, two Austin men are charged with stopping a Loop hotel’s valet driver in traffic while he drove a customer’s Audi A5 to a parking lot around 9 p.m. last Tuesday.
22-year-old Amos Gibson, on parole for unlawful use of a weapon, pointed a silver revolver at the valet’s head while 19-year-old Danthony Nance opened the passenger-side door and grabbed the keys while demanding control of the car, according to prosecutors.
The 53-year-old valet was not injured, and cops caught up with Gibson and Nance minutes later in the 600 block of South Wabash.
Gibson’s charged with attempted vehicular hijacking and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon on parole. His bail is set at $225,000.
Nance, who cops said is an admitted Four Corner Hustler street gang member, is charged with attempted vehicular hijacking with a firearm. His bail information was not immediately available.
Additional Stats
Here are 2015 vs. 2017 carjacking stats through August 12 for some other police districts:
• The 14th (Shakespeare) District is up 650% from 4 cases to 30.
• The 17th (Albany Park) District is up 600% from 2 to 14.
• The 20th (Lincoln) District is up 100% from 2 to 4.
• The 24th (Rogers Park) District is flat at 2 cases.
Only the 7th (Englewood) District saw a decline in carjacking incidents, with 10 compared to 12 in 2015.
