A robbery and carjacking crew struck at least twice Thursday afternoon — once in Lakeview and again in Rogers Park. Two people were taken to a hospital after the offenders crashed a carjacked vehicle moments after the second crime, but no suspects are in custody.
A second carjacking was also reported in Rogers Park on Thursday evening, but it is not clear if it is connected to the other crimes.
Around 1:15 p.m., a woman reported that five men who may have been armed took her purse and phone on Belmont Avenue just west of Sheridan Road in Lakeview. The offenders then climbed into a white Jeep that bears a license plate beginning with AE68 and sped away, tossing some of her property out of the window as they did.
Then, at 2:27 p.m., a 21-year-old man who stepped out of his car in the 6600 block of North Damen was pushed to the ground by an offender who then jumped into his vehicle and drove away, a CPD spokesperson said. A witness reported seeing the carjacker get out of a white Jeep before the crime.
The stolen Toyota slammed into another car near Pratt and Ridge, leaving two people in the other vehicle injured, according to CPD. Both victims were taken to St. Francis Hospital for treatment.
Witnesses saw the carjacker get out of the crashed Toyota and run into a nearby alley. The suspect ditched his yellow hoodie as he fled and police evidence technicians recovered it a short time later.
Then, just before 6 p.m., two men each pulled out handguns and took a man’s black 2005 Volvo in the 7700 block of North Ashland, according to initial information. The offenders got into the victim’s car and fled through a nearby alley.
They are described as two Black males in their late teens or early 20’s who stand about 5’6” tall. One of them wore a black hat, black sweater, and COVID mask.
Thursday’s incidents unfolded just a day after Chicago police warned about four-man robbery and carjacking crew that has been seen using a white Jeep to commit crimes across the city in recent weeks.
