A Chicago man has been charged in connection with three carjackings during September and October in Oak Park, police said.
Brandon J. Steward, 18, of the 1600 block of North Parkside Avenue, Chicago, was arrested Dec. 7, police said.
Steward has been charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with three incidents, police said. Those incidents occurred:
* Sept. 22 in the 1000 block of North Hayes Avenue.
* Sept. 29 in the 700 block of North Hayes Avenue.
* Oct. 7 in the 900 block of North Humphrey Avenue.
He is being held without bail in Cook County jail, police said, and is next scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
Catching those responsible for a recent wave of carjackings and preventing future incidents are among the department’s highest priorities, Oak Park Police Chief Anthony Ambrose said in a news release.
Nine arrests have been made in connection with recent carjackings in Oak Park, police said. Three of those arrested are juveniles. Two other juveniles believed to have been involved in attempted carjackings on North Lombard Avenue and North Austin Boulevard have been arrested by Chicago police in connection with carjackings that occurred the same night in Chicago, police said.
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Last week, Oak Park residents packed Village Hall to speak with village and police officials about recent carjackings.
“Being aware of one’s surroundings is the single most important tip I can give a resident,” Ambrose said in the release. “The second tip is don’t hesitate to call 911. Oak Park police rely on residents who are willing to report suspicious persons and activities. We would rather respond and find out everything is OK than have to investigate a crime that might have been prevented with a call.”
Officers also encourage residents to be aware of their surroundings, to back into garages, and to keep their engine running and not exit their cars until the overhead garage door is closed. Residents should ensure that garages and backyards are well lit and never leave an unattended vehicle running, police said.
Heather Cherone is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.