2017 Marks Highest Year For Chicago Carjackings In Over A Decade

CHICAGO, IL — Carjackings in Chicago this year have reached their highest level in more than a decade, according to the Chicago Police Department. While homicides and shootings are down compared with last year, carjackings are up by just over 40 percent. There were 682 carjackings in 2016, and there have been 967 carjackings so far in 2017.

The city hasn't seen this level of carjackings since 2007, when there were 898. Carjackers have targeted every neighborhood in the city throughout the year, using weapons to force people out of their vehicles.

The CPD said many of the carjackings are done by gang members, who use the vehicles for drive-by shootings against other gangs, burglaries and other crimes.

Carjackings often leave victims traumatized and terrified to go out in their own neighborhoods. Retrieving their vehicles can also be a painful process, with many out-of-pocket expenses. Many stolen vehicles are found destroyed beyond repair.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told the Chicago Tribune there's no "simple answer" for why carjackings have soared in 2017, and that there are a number of variables contributing to the surge.

Photo by Amber Fisher