Police Investigating String Of Carjackings On North, West Sides

CHICAGO, IL — Carjackers stole multiple vehicles in neighborhoods on the city's North and West sides over the past two days, police said. One of the thefts happened in the Avondale neighborhood just after 2:30 a.m. in the 2500 block of West Wellington Avenue, police said. Three armed suspects told three people to get out of a Toyota Camry, and the gunmen took their belongings before stealing the car, according to police.

Police believe the same group of gunmen targeted a black sedan around 3 a.m. in the 400 block of North Aberdeen Street in West Town. A driver was forced to get out of his vehicle at gunpoint, police said.

Then just after 4:30, three gunmen ordered a driver from a white Dodge Charger in the East Ukrainian Village neighborhood, police said. The carjacking happened in the 1900 block of West Augusta Boulevard, police said.

Police believe the same group of gunmen was involved in all three carjackings. No one was in custody.

Police have also released a community alert warning of a string of car thefts in the Near North neighborhood. At least 12 vehicles were stolen over the past two days, police said.

Police said the thefts happened in the following locations:
• 4:17 p.m. Sunday in the 200 block of North Justine Street
• 9:26 p.m. Sunday in the 2200 block of West Walnut Street
• 9:57 p.m. Sunday in the 700 block of North Wood Street
• 10:20 p.m. Sunday in the 1200 block of West Flournoy Street
• 12:09 a.m. Monday in the 300 block of South Paulina Street
• 2:30 a.m. Monday in the 1300 block of North Leavitt Street
• 2:35 a.m. Monday in the 2500 block of West Wellington
• 3:02 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of North Aberdeen Street
• 4:03 a.m. Monday in the 1500 block of North Artesian Avenue
• 3:30 a.m. Monday in the 3600 block of North Hamlin Avenue
• 4:08 a.m. Monday in the 1400 block of North Maplewood Avenue
• 4:24 a.m. Monday in the 1900 block of West Augusta Boulevard

The suspects were described as two to three black men between 5-foot-6 and 6-foot-1, and between 150 to 170 pounds, police said. One man is between 18 and 20 years old and the other 30 to 35.

If you have any information Contact the Bureau of Detectives Area Central at (312) 747-8382 or Area North at (312) 744-8263.

Image via Amber Fisher