Teenagers Face Robbery, Firearms, and Carjacking Charges After Botched Gun Transaction
Two young individuals, a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man, are facing serious charges of robbery, firearms offenses, and carjacking following an incident outside Senn High School in Edgewater. The incident occurred during a botched gun transaction involving two brothers.
According to prosecutors, the two brothers arrived in the neighborhood around 8 p.m. on January 11 for a planned gun purchase from someone known from high school. One of the brothers had his own firearm in the vehicle as they drove around in a Dodge Durango, with the gun sitting next to his thigh.
As they drove through the area, the brothers noticed three individuals observing their vehicle. Suspicious, the driver circled the block before parking outside Senn High School on North Glenwood Avenue.
It was at this point that Cristian Mazza Maita, 19, wearing a ski mask, approached the Durango with the 17-year-old boy. The juvenile entered the back seat while Mazza pointed a handgun at the driver, demanding all their belongings.
After the driver exited the vehicle, the juvenile pointed a gun at the second brother, taking his firearm, phone, and wallet. A third offender arrived, pointing a gun at both victims, with Mazza firing a round into the ground. The brothers then walked away as the hijackers drove off in the Durango.
The brothers contacted the police using a passerby’s phone and tracked an AirTag inside the Durango. With the location information relayed to officers, CPD’s helicopter unit located the vehicle on South Paulina Street.
Police recovered loaded firearms and arrested Mazza, who admitted to firing the gun and being involved in the carjacking. Two additional handguns were found, bringing the total seized weapons to four.
Mazza faces charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a weapon. The 17-year-old boy is also charged with similar offenses, including a separate robbery at the North-Clybourn Red Line station last summer.
Additional arrests were made, including Josue Rada, who participated in the CTA robbery. The third suspect in the Edgewater carjacking remains at large.
For original reporting and exclusive content, supported by our readers, click here to support our work.
