CHICAGO — It’s not every day that we get to tell you that someone is accused of carjacking a driver while a Chicago police squad car was shining a spotlight on them. But today is that day. And the accused man is 29-year-old Datilion Kelly.
Kelly met a 21-year-old man online, and they agreed to meet up around 9:30 p.m. Monday to “socialize and consume cannabis together in the [21-year-old’s] vehicle” in the 5400 block of South Hoyne, a CPD report said.
While they were hanging out in the victim’s parked car, a CPD tactical unit saw the vehicle idling with its headlights on, so the cops shined their spotlight on it, the report continued. As soon as the officers lit up the victim’s 2025 Nissan Kicks, Kelly allegedly pushed the victim out of the driver’s door and then slid behind the steering wheel.
Kelly dragged the victim for a short distance and then evaded police for several minutes before crashing into a parked car in the 5100 block of South Winchester, according to the report. Officers found Kelly limping away in the 5000 block of South Damen and arrested him after the victim confirmed that he was the hijacker.
According to Kelly’s arrest report, he had the victim’s prescription bottle, earbuds, and vape pen with him. The police found a handgun between two parked cars near Kelly. Prosecutors said video showed him making a “tossing motion” toward the area where the weapon was found. They also said Kelly used the gun to pistol-whip the victim in the forehead during the carjacking.
Court records show Kelly has been on probation since September for a felony gun possession case. He is now charged with vehicular hijacking, aggravated battery, and robbery.
Judge David Kelly granted the state’s detention petition.
