Chicago criminals are carjacking people, then using the stolen cars to rob other victims at ATMs

CHICAGO - Chicago police are warning residents of the Old Town, South Lawndale, McKinley Park, Lower West Side, Brighton Park and West Town neighborhoods to watch out for criminals who are stealing cars, then using those stolen cars to commit more crimes.

Police said they have struck at least 11 times this month.

The criminals get the cars by targeting drivers who have left their cars running on the street or at gas stations.

The cars are then used to commit armed robberies and more carjackings. The next victims are targeted while at ATMs at banks and drive-thrus. The second set of victims are robbed, and sometimes they are carjacked as well.

The suspects threaten victims with rifles and handguns, police said.

The crimes happened at these locations:

• Car stolen on North Milwaukee near Paulina in Old Town, Wednesday January 4, at 10:20 p.m.
• Car stolen on South Harding near 24th in South Lawndale, Wednesday January 4, at 11:50 p.m.
• Car stolen on South Ashland near 35th in McKinley Park, Thursday January 5, at 2:46 a.m.
• Armed robbery on West Cermak near South Oakley on the Lower West Side, Thursday January 5, at 5:20 a.m.
• Carjacking on South California near the Stevenson in Brighton Park, Thursday January 5, at 5:35 a.m.
• Armed robbery on South Campbell in Douglas Park, Thursday January 5, at 5:50 a.m.
• Carjacking on West Madison near Leavitt on Near West Side, Thursday January 5, at 5:52 a.m.
• Armed robbery on West Madison near Hoyne on Near West Side, Friday January 6, at 7:47 a.m.
• Armed robbery on West Erie near Western in West Town, Wednesday January 11, at 6:30 a.m.
• Armed robbery on West Augusta near Wolcott in West Town, Wednesday January 11, 6:38 a.m.
• Armed robbery on West Cermak near South Oakley on Lower West Side, Wednesday January 11, 6:40 a.m.