Crime sadly has always been a prevalent issue in Chicago. Whether it is robberies, murders, or shootings, crime has been an issue that the justice system struggles to tackle. However, it seems the new trend in crime within Chicago has been carjacking. For example, last year an average of 65 cars were stolen daily, which added up to 457 per week. To break down this data even further, that’s about two cars being stolen every hour. This has become such an issue that 20th ward Alderwoman Jeannette Taylor was compelled to speak on the issue
Carjacking Statistics
Unfortunately, Chicago’s car theft issue isn’t unique but rather a reflection of a national problem. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic car theft has gone up. In Washing D.C. itself, from 2019 to 2023 the carjacking rate raised 565 %. Kia’s and Hyundai’s seem to be the primary target of the thieves. Furthermore, a group of teenagers have dubbed themselves “The Kia boys” and have caused an infamous trend of breaking into Kia’s and joyriding people’s cars for fun.
This trend has left young adults, some not even legal, facing felony charges. These youth can easily steal these cars due to a faulty manufacturing design in Hyundai and Kia’s from the 2010s. The theft of these car brands has risen 1,000% since 2020.
A large issue with the rise of car theft is that it’s usually an antecedent to another crime, especially drug dealing and violent crimes. This issue was touched upon by Ald. Jeanette Taylor who is over the 20th Ward. On February 6, in the South Side of Chicago, there was a carjacking and subsequently a crash. The accident had left five people injured, and one person in critical condition. The incident took place in her very own ward.
The alderman stated how she believes that this can’t just be an issue of complaints anymore. Furthermore, this is an issue that isn’t just on the shoulders of the CPD but also the neighborhood. She went on to say that parents need to hold their children accountable and be vigilant of their actions.
A community meeting was held the following Thursday so the neighborhood residents could discuss what they believed needed to be done and exchange ways they could be proactive to help combat carjacking.
Carjacking Tactics
Due to the influx of carjacking incidents, it seems the perpetrators are having to become more crafty and or more violent. In a string of incidents that took place in the North Side of Chicago, a new way to steal vehicles has started to emerge.
In a few cases, the offenders have seemingly purposely boxed in their intended victims, whether the cars were parked or moving didn’t seem to matter. After blocking the target from getting away they then forced them out of their car. The strategy was so effective that the criminals were able to use this method on eight cars in the span of a few hours.
This has led businesses in the surrounding areas to realize that there is a need for beefed-up security measures. The necessity for protecting employees and customers alike is becoming glaring. Furthermore, this has caused residents to either change their driving routines, take other steps, or even find secondary means of transportation to avoid falling victim to grand theft auto.
These carjackings are also being tied to robberies at two Ulta Beauty’s within the area, according to authorities.
Another Violent Carjacking
In another incident recently three Chicago residents were indicted over violent carjackings. All three individuals are at risk of the death penalty if convicted of the charges. On top of the vehicular theft, the men were charged with murdering two separate people. The indictment further accuses them of attempting to steal five vehicles over 11 days and even setting one on fire to destroy evidence.
Nabil Mahouar was sadly fatally shot in his neighborhood of Dunning during their robbery attempt. They also used a car they had previously stolen to then shoot Eduardo Triano in the North Park area.
How to Prevent This
Though you can’t fully protect yourself from falling victim to car theft, some ways help prevent it from happening. The National Insurance Crime Bureau compiled a few ways that you can protect yourself. Firstly, they tell people to have common sense when getting in and out of their car. Remove your keys, lock your doors, close your windows, and try to park in well-lit areas.
Secondly, they advise people to invest in audible alarms and steering wheel locks. Even doing something such as etching the vehicle’s identification number can deter people from stealing it and aid greatly in the recovery.
Lastly, fuse cut-offs, or kill switches so a stolen vehicle will be disabled until honestly, and safely restarted. A tracking device is also highly recommended to help with finding a car that could have easily been used in a crime or dumped after a carjacking.
Written By Arianna Rathers
Sources:
TechHQ– Steal a car with just a USB cord and a TikTok account
Medium-TERRIFYING CAR THEFT STATISTICS: A Vehicle Stolen Every 22 Minutes in Chicago
FOX-Chicago crime: 457 cars stolen in a single week, alderwoman weighs in
Hoodline– Chicago Streets Gripped by Fear as New Carjacking Strategy Surfaces on North Side
USA Today– Carjacking indictment in Chicago latest amid a surge in US car heists since the pandemic
Featured Image by Isabell Schulz‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image by drburtoni’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
