Chicago carjacking: Armed group steals 2 cars on same block in Edgewater, police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A group of armed carjackers stole one car and then another on the same block on Chicago's North Side Thursday night, police said.

The incidents happened just minutes apart around 11:40 p.m. in the 1200-block of West Thorndale Avenue.

Police said three male suspects were driving a newer model black Honda Civic when they approached a 56-year-old man and his 17-year-old son in a blue 2006 Volvo S40.

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That 17-year-old, Muhammad Riaz, described how he and his dad become the latest victims in the double carjacking.

Riaz said he had just picked his dad up from work and were on their way home when they were approached.

"I was just teaching him how to drive because he doesn't know, so we switched the seats," Riaz said.

The armed suspects demanded they get out of the Volvo and the father and son complied, police said.

As the suspects were fleeing in the Volvo, they noticed a white 2011 BMW-X5 at a stop sign, police said.

The suspects then got out of the Volvo and pointed guns at the 55-year-old woman driving the BMW, police said. The woman got out and the suspects fled in the BMW and the Honda.

"When I asked her what happened, she's like they dropped my car at the gas station and took her car," Riaz said.

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"I felt like I had to do something because I was a victim of being carjacked three times, and each time I thought that my life was over with," Good Samaritan Jermaine Jordan said.

The Volvo was left at the scene and the BMW was recovered in an alley in the 1800-block of South Avers Avenue, police said.

It's unclear if the trio is responsible for another carjacking Friday morning in the 4300-block of West Cornelia.

In that incident, the armed carjackers stolen a car that apparently has a child in the vehicle when they committed the crime.

"They came out of the car with guns and everything," said carjacking victim, Javier Hernandez.

Hernandez said he was waiting for a co-worker to pick him up for work.

"I was walking from my house and he was waiting for me. As soon as we got together they got out of the car with guns and tell us to give them the keys my phone. They took my wallet and everything," Hernandez said.

Chicago police were back at the scene Friday morning looking at surveillance video and investigating the incidents.

Area Three detectives are investigating. No one is in custody.

Carjacking Help

Meanwhile, some are banding together to try to help those victimized by the crime spree get their cars back.

The only months-old social media group, the Chicago Stolen Car Directory, already has over 13,000 members who post in real-time locations and information about stolen and carjacked vehicles.

"I've met a lot of members already that have been in the group that we've recovered their vehicles," said Matthew Nalett. "They love it."

A Chicago police spokesperson told ABC7 Friday morning that as of 8 a.m., there have been 204 carjackings this month, including one Friday morning in Kilbourn Park.

According to CPD data, 2021 has seen a roughly 400% increase in the number of vehicular hijackings compared to 2020.

Police are warning the public of the danger and said if you do become the victim of a carjacking, you should:

-give up your car and leave the scene;

-avoid verbal or physical confrontations and remember the suspect's description;

- if there is a child in the car, let the carjacker know;

- and make sure to call 911 to report the crime immediately.

They also recommend:

- parking in well-lit, visible areas;

- keep your windows up and doors locked;

- equip your vehicle with Anti-Theft/GPS;

- keep your phone in your pocket; trust your instincts.