Chicago crime: Man beaten, carjacked at Northwest Side gas station
CHICAGO (CBS) – A man was beaten before being carjacked on the Northwest Side Tuesday morning.
Chicago police said around 4 a.m., the victim was at a gas station, in the 1600 block of North Western Avenue, when he was approached by a group of men who began to batter him.
Surveillance video obtained by CBS 2 showed the incident.
The suspects then jumped into the victim's car and fled in a white Honda CRV.
The victim refused treatment on scene.
Police say the car was recovered in the 2500 block of West North Ave. It was left running in the street with the gas cap still open.
No arrests were made. The suspects are still on the run.
As CBS 2's Noel Brennan reported, in the 14th Police District, which covers Wicker Park and Logan Square, CPD data shows there have been 309 car thefts so far this year. There were 99 last year.
Car thefts are up 446% from just three years ago.
In a statement, Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st) said, "I am truly sorry that this happened this morning, and I can only imagine the frustration and anxiety our resident is feeling right now. My office and I regularly check in with our police districts about crime trends in the Ward, and we frequently discuss responses to vehicular hijacking in particular. My office and I especially support the 14th District's efforts to deter auto theft, which has included sharing tips for awareness, and providing clubs."
The majority of car thefts in the 14th District involve Kias and Hyundais. Residents in the district can call the police station and get a free steering wheel lock.