Former Peace Corps Volunteer Accused of Carjacking Lyft Driver's Car

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL -- A Chicago man was arrested by Western Springs police after he carjacked a Lyft driver’s vehicle in Merrionette Park. The man was arrested at the hospital where his girlfriend was having a baby, prosecutors said.

Lionel Carter, 32, appeared before Cook County Judge Steven Rosenblum on charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking, aggravated battery in a public place and burglary.

The incident unfolded around 3:42 a.m. July 31 in front of 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. The prosecutor said three patrons had ordered a Lyft driver to take them to Western Springs.

While the passengers were getting into the Lyft car, Carter ran out of the club and begged the driver for a ride home stating he didn’t have any money. Carter did not know the other passengers in the vehicle, the prosecutor said.

The Lyft driver drove the three passengers and Carter to Western Springs. When the other passengers were dropped off, Carter allegedly harassed them, calling them “rich white boys.”

Carter got out of the car and reached through the open car door where the prosecutor said he grabbed the Lyft driver’s neck. Carter pulled the driver out of the car and again grabbed the driver’s neck with both hands.

The prosecutor said that Carter drove off in the Lyft driver’s car. The vehicle was found weeks later with a flat tire in Burr Ridge. The driver’s wallet was also inside, but $700 cash was missing.

Lionel Carter, 32 | Cook County

Western Springs police were able to trace Carter back to the club. There, a credit card receipt placing him at 115 Bourbon Street was found. One of the Western Springs passengers also took a photo of Carter with his cell phone, according to the charges.

The Lyft driver and one of the passengers positively identified Carter from a photo lineup, the prosecutor said. Carter was arrested Aug. 18 at a hospital where his girlfriend was giving birth to their child.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Carter has a master’s degree in social work and at one time was a Peace Corps volunteer.

Carter has a previous conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon for which he received two years probation in 2004, the prosecutor said.

Judge Rosenblum set bail at $100,000. Carter is due back in court Sept. 15 in Bridgeview.