On February 1, 2022, at approximately 3:35 PM, Champaign Police responded to a parking garage in the 1000 block of South Second Street for a carjacking that had just occurred. The victim reported he had pulled into his secure parking garage, exited his vehicle, and was confronted by three to four individuals. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victim’s car keys, cell phone, wallet, and garage door opener. The victim complied, and the four suspects fled in his vehicle. The victim was not injured.
The hijacked vehicle was observed and pursued by several police agencies throughout the following hour until the suspects ultimately crashed in an open field off Prospect Avenue, one-half mile north of Ford Harris Road. The four suspects reported minor injuries, and paramedics on the scene treated them. The four arrests include two 14-year-old females, one 16-year-old male, and 19-year-old Sintrae S. Cobb.
The Champaign Police Department would like to thank the University of Illinois Police Department, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, the Urbana Police Department, the Rantoul Police Department, the Fisher Police Department, and the Illinois State Police for their assistance with this investigation.
Although there is no specific pattern to when a carjacking may occur, like many other offenses, it can be a crime of opportunity where the offender takes advantage of the moment. The best way to prevent being carjacked is to always remain aware of your surroundings, in addition to the following safety tips.
- Approach your car with the keys in hand. Look around and inside the car before getting in.
- Park in well-lit areas clearly visible to the public. Keep your doors locked while seated inside.
- Stay vigilant at public garages, parking lots, gas stations, drive-up ATM machines, and all stoplights. Often, if a criminal believes that a victim has observed him or her, they will look for an easier victim.
- Never leave valuables in plain sight; lock your car, take the keys, and keep your cell phone with you.
- Never leave your car running and unoccupied.
- Equip your vehicle with anti-theft/GPS systems.
- Trust your instincts. If you notice something suspicious, go to a safe area and report it.
If you find yourself in a carjacking scenario, remember the safety of you and your passengers is the priority, and take the following precautions.
- Forfeit your vehicle and leave the scene. The vehicle can be replaced, but you are irreplaceable.
- Try and remember the description of the suspect and suspect vehicle.
- If a child is inside, inform the offender.
Call 911 immediately to report the crime.
Although arrests have been made, the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to please contact police at 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at 373tips.com; or the “P3 Tips” mobile app.
Champaign Police reminds citizens that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed to a third-party national call center that receives your information, completes a tips information form, and then passes the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers, and conversations are not recorded.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.