Mokena Carjackers Believed To Be Linked To Naperville Carjacking: Cops

MOKENA, IL — Police said they believe that a vehicle that was carjacked Tuesday in Naperville may be the same vehicle four armed men used Wednesday in Mokena during a similar crime.

Naperville police said Tuesday that three men approached a man in the Jewel-Osco parking lot at 1227 S. Naper Boulevard at around 9 p.m. and demanded at gunpoint the keys to the man's Audi.

Police believe that same Audi, a newer-model black sedan, was used at approximately 10:47 p.m. Wednesday in a carjacking at the Meijer grocery store in Mokena, according to Mokena Police Interim Chief Brian Benton. The 73-year-old man who was carjacked in Mokena was not injured.

Related:

• Senior's Car Stolen At Gunpoint In Mokena Meijer Parking Lot: Police
• Car Stolen At Gunpoint From Jewel-Osco On South Naper Boulevard
• Juvenile Charged After Carjacking, Police Chase In Sauk Village: Cops

Four men armed with long guns and handguns pulled up in what is believed to be the stolen Audi from Naperville and approached the senior citizen in Mokena while he was loading groceries into his black Lincoln MKC SUV, police said. A fifth suspect is believed to have been driving the Audi that the carjackers arrived in, Benton said.

The four men were reported to be wearing masks and loose-fitting clothing, but police were not able to get a better description of them because of the masks, Benton said.

Illinois State Police used license plate readers to track the carjackers going through Tinley Park and began a chase of the stolen Lincoln, Benton said.

That chase ended in Sauk Village, where two suspects jumped out and fled on foot. A police K9 took down a 16-year-old male juvenile passenger from Riverdale. Police were not able to find the driver, who fled, Benton said.

The juvenile was charged with criminal trespass to motor vehicles, Benton said. He was also charged with obstructing justice after police found that he used a fake name when questioned by police, Benton said.

"We're going to continue working closely with Naperville and try to identify the offenders, if at all possible," Benton said.

Benton said the Mokena carjacking was an isolated incident and appeared to be a random act.

"I think it was a target of opportunity for them, unfortunately," Benton said.

Carjackers typically target newer, faster vehicles because they want to be able to outrun the police, Benton said.

People can help protect themselves against these types of attacks by always being aware of their surroundings and look to see if there may be any suspicious vehicles in the area before they approach their own vehicles, Benton said.

"One of the things to look for is people either circling or seem like they're watching your vehicle, waiting for you to come out of a store," Benton said. "So, try not to loiter around your car too long, if at all possible."

If a person is targeted for a carjacking, Benton said the best thing to do is not resist and give up the keys.

The Chicago area has been a hotspot for carjackers recently, more so even than the cities of New York and Los Angeles combined, Benton said.

"We are the carjacking capitol of the nation," Benton said.

Police are still working to identify the remaining carjackers. Anyone with information is asked to call the Mokena Police Department at (708) 479-3912.

Patch Editors Lisa Marie Farver and Lauren Traut contributed to this report.