Teen stole car with 88-year-old woman inside, Park Ridge police say

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (WLS) -- A 14-year-old boy is accused of stealing a car with an 88-year-old woman inside, and police say it's not the first time he's been arrested for car theft.

On Wednesday night, police said the woman's family went into a Walgreens store in the 900-block of Touhy Avenue in Park Ridge to make a quick purchase. She stayed behind in the backseat of the vehicle.

When they came back outside around 6:50 p.m., police said the car and the woman were gone. The boy had allegedly jumped into the car while the woman's family was inside and drove away.

"Physically she's OK, she wasn't hurt in any way or worse. But she's going to carry this with her," said Park Ridge Deputy Police Chief Lou Jogmen.

Jogmen said the teen dropped the grandmother off at home then continued to Chicago, where he was arrested after a traffic stop.

Investigators say they can connect the 14-year-old to multiple other car thefts in Park Ridge, including: a Honda from the 100-Block of Euclid Avenue on February 21, a Chevy from the 1500-block of Stewart on February 26, a Volvo from S. Prospect Avenue on March 1, a Subaru from the 700-block of N. Prospect Avenue on March 5. n each case, the vehicles were either running or the car keys were left inside, police said.

Now, police are interviewing the teen to find out why he's allegedly stolen multiple cars in less than a month.

"I haven't spoken to him myself. Detectives haven't really offered anything so far as a motive or why it's continuing," Jogmen said.

Police said the teen suspect works with two other 14-year-olds who have also been recently arrested.

Police said they expect the teen will be charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking.