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Cook County sheriff asks for federal help to combat carjacking crisis
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart wants a 24/7 hot line that police can use to legally get tracing data on any stolen vehicle.
CHICAGO - Police issued an alert for rideshare drivers after a string of carjackings this February on Chicago's West Side.
At least five carjackings were reported in February in the West Garfield Park and Austin neighborhoods, according to police.
In each incident, a person arranges a rideshare trip and then attempts to rob the driver or take control of the vehicle during or after the trip, police said. In two of the carjackings, the suspect was armed.
The robberies and carjackings happened at the following times and locations:
- At 2:10 a.m. Feb. 3 in the 4500 block of West Maypole Avenue
- At 12:20 a.m. Feb. 3 in the 4300 block of West West End Avenue
- At 1:40 p.m. Feb. 3 in the 5000 block of West Quincy Street
- At 9:55 a.m. Feb 9 in the 4800 block of West Maypole Avenue
- At 2:10 a.m. Feb 12 in the 700 block of North Cicero Avenue
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Four detectives at (312) 746-8253.