South Side man allegedly carjacked vehicle, then immediately drove it to court for another felony case

It probably seemed like a good idea at the time.

A South Side man allegedly pulled off a Tuesday morning carjacking and then used the freshly-hijacked car to drive himself and his alleged accomplices to his 9 a.m. felony court appearance.

He almost made it.

We told you about Edward Fleming, 20, yesterday. Police said he and two juveniles lured a Joliet man into a carjacking trap via an online dating app. Fleming held the victim at gunpoint, a 17-year-old male punched the victim in the face, and all three offenders sped away with the man’s Nissan Altima around 8 a.m., according to allegations in court records.

Fleming, who was free on “affordable bail” after being charged with felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle last month, had less than an hour to get himself to court.

Edward Fleming | CPD

At 8:44 a.m., police spotted Fleming as he parked the allegedly hijacked car less than a block from the courthouse — a building that also houses the 5th District police station and the Area South police headquarters.

Our exclusive and original reporting is 100% reader-funded. Please make a contribution to our operating fund or purchase a subscription today.

Fleming and his two alleged accomplices were taken into custody.

In court that morning, the judge made a handwritten note for Fleming’s file: “[Defendant] in custody @ 5th District on new charge.”

Fleming’s bail in the January case has been revoked and he’s being held without bail on the carjacking charge.