Teen Charged With 3 Armed Carjackings In Oak Park

OAK PARK, IL — Oak Park Police have arrested a teen in connection with three separate armed carjacking incidents. Brandon J. Steward, 18, of the 1600 block of North Parkside Ave. in Chicago, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with three counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking, according to a release from the village of Oak Park.

Police say Steward is tied to three armed carjacking cases that took place in September and October. The first incident took place on Sept. 22 in the 1000 block of N. Hayes, according to police. The second carjacking occurred on Sept. 29 in the 700 block of N. Hayes Ave. and the final incident in which Steward is charged took place on Oct. 7 in the 900 block of N. Humphrey.

Oak Park Police have increased patrols and have recently held public meetings to help deter the incidence of carjackings in the village. Oak Park Police Chief Anthony Ambrose acknowledged that it can be difficult to predict when a carjacking will take place, but that the department has "made significant headway in solving the incidents that have occurred in our community," the post said.

So far, Oak Park police have made nine arrests related to 10 carjacking incidents. Seven cases still remain open.

Carjackings have recently spiked in Chicago and its western suburbs. Ambrose mentioned that many of these are linked to juveniles. Steward, who is 18, will be tried as an adult.

Ambrose urges residents to be aware of their surroundings and to call 911 if they observe any suspicious activity.

Steward is currently being held without bail in the Cook County Jail. He is set to appear in court on Dec. 15.

>>Image via Shutterstock