2 Hyundais at center of Chicago police investigations in Belmont-Cragin; teen shot nearby

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two Hyundais have become the focus of police investigations during a chaotic morning involving three crime scenes in Chicago's Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

One of them was found shot full of holes as detectives continue to sort out several crimes in the area involving Hyundais and Kias.

The bullet-riddled silver Hyundai sat protected by a patrol car at the corner of Leclaire and Fullerton avenues in the Belmont-Craigin neighborhood, appearing to have been heading the wrong way down a one-way street before it came to a stop early Wednesday morning.

New surveillance video from a nearby business shows that car pull up to the intersection just after 3 a.m. as someone gets out of the driver's seat, and goes into a waiting SUV behind the car. That SUV then drives off.

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER | Track crime and safety in your neighborhood

Just blocks away, before 3:30 a.m., police also responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 2500-block of North Laramie Avenue, where a 17-year-old boy was shot in the neck.

The victim, who is in good condition, told police he was walking down the street when someone in a red SUV drove up and started shooting.

RELATED: Chicago police warn of theft of Hyundai, Kia cars in Logan Square, Humboldt Park

The teenager was taken to the hospital after running to Lavergne and Medill where officers had another Hyundai surrounded by crime tape. He is in good condition, but a local business owner is concerned about everyone's safety in this neighborhood.

"I was in shock because it's just across the street and it's just like you don't hear this especially when you come to work," said Laura Gomez, owner at Pro LG Insurance. "You kinda feel very frustrated and you feel sad."

At this point, police haven't said if the three crime scenes are connected. But there has been a recent trend of car thefts in the area specifically targeting Hyundais and Kias.

The latest community alert issued Tuesday night to residents in the 25th District shows almost a dozen different locations where cars have been stolen. It's a trend Gomez said she has noticed as an insurance agent.

"It's not good, you know, we're getting a lot of claims," Gomez said. "Our insurance is very concerned about the situation and every day we hear something related to those type of vehicles."

Police say the offenders may be using the stolen vehicles in the commission of armed robberies across this area. That's why many are hoping for more police protection in the neighborhood.

"More security around the area," Gomez said. "You know we want to see more safety for our kids and also for us."

Police are advising people to be aware of their surroundings, and to alert their neighbors.