Cook County Sheriff data reveals most popular cars targeted by carjackers, most common methods – CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) — More than 1,800 people were victims of carjackings in Chicago last year, but the crisis is not just in the city.

Suburban Cook County is also facing an increase in thefts and carjackings.

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So we wanted to know – are certain cars more likely to be targeted? CBS 2’s Tara Molina scoured county data for answers.

Jeep turns out to be one of the top brands targeted, with the top-of-the-line model being the Grand Cherokee.

The aim here is not to worry anyone, but to inform – because there is information on how best to protect yourself.

Chances are you’ve noticed that we’ve been investigating skyrocketing crime for years at CBS 2, as the Cook County Sheriff’s Office continues to collect data not only intended to arrest those who drive the crisis, but also to inform those behind the wheel.

“As we’ve accumulated more data and made more arrests and done more interviews, we’re becoming much, much more knowledgeable about what they’re doing, how they’re doing it. do,” said County Sheriff Tom Dart.

For example, Dart specified the most common day and time for carjackings?

“It’s Sunday night and Saturday night,” he said.

The trends don’t stop there.

“They’re looking for the fastest cars they can get their hands on,” Dart said.

Data shows that some of the most commonly targeted cars are sedans and sport utility vehicles, which account for 47.72% and 41.9% of all vehicles hijacked, respectively. The other types of cars are only single-digit percentages.

Specifically, Toyota Camrys are the most popular, accounting for 3.61% of all hijacked vehicles. Sheriff Dart said it was because they were the number one car on the road.

Next come the Grand Cherokees at 2.97%. Jeeps are targeted for another reason, Dart said.

“There are certain variations of which go faster than others, and there seems to be a targeting of that,” Dart said.

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Nissan Altimas, Honda Accords, Chevrolet Malibuses and Dodge Chargers round out the top six.

We asked if time of year or weather played a role in the type of vehicles targeted. Dart has yet to give any solid information on this – but he does say carjackers
“look at this stuff.”

When it comes to method breakdown, most carjackings involve an ambush. In total, 48.43% are ambushes on foot and 21.96% are ambushes with another vehicle. Meanwhile, 10.33% of carjackings target carpools and 6.51% are gas station ambushes.

“In suburban Cook County, for example, we’re getting more carjackings at gas stations,” Dart said.

Dart said carjackers’ motivations vary, but for those doing it for the thrill, they’re the most dangerous.

“For those who do it for their twisted little thrill they get out of it, it’s harder to defend against because you don’t know when it’s going to show up,” he said.

But Dart said one thing is common to every interview, everywhere, and it’s something every driver should know right now. It’s that people need to be aware and engaged.

“They would absolutely watch if people were on their phone, because if you’re on your phone you’re not paying attention to anything and then a person is on you within seconds and all you can do in that moment is get out of your car,” Dart said.

That’s why Sheriff Dart says the best thing to do on the roads is to keep your head on a swivel. You must remain alert and aware of other people and drivers around you and ensure, for example, that no one has cornered you.

“I think a lot of that will come down to people being aware that we’re in a different time now,” Dart said.

Tara, we’ve heard that we’re off to a good start in 2022 when it comes to these crimes. What do the numbers look like?

The following is a breakdown of carjacking incidents and recoveries. Data combines Chicago and suburban Cook County.

2020
-1,532 incidents in 2020
-1,482 carjackings, 50 carjacking attempts.
– 41% of vehicles recovered
-The average recovery time was 190.5 hours

2021
-2,100 incidents in 2021
-2,025 carjackings, 75 carjacking attempts.
-69% of recovered vehicles.
-The average recovery time was 100.1 hours

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2022
-135 incidents until 01/24/2022
-135 carjackings, no carjacking attempts
-77% of vehicles have been recovered
-The average recovery time is 107.4 hours.