Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Carjacking Acquaintance in Back of the Yards
A man who carjacked an acquaintance while Chicago police officers were literally shining a spotlight on him in Back of the Yards has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Datilion Kelly’s case garnered attention back on February 1, just days after the brazen hijacking. The 29-year-old has pleaded guilty, marking an unusually swift resolution for Cook County’s notoriously sluggish court system.
According to police reports, Kelly met a 21-year-old man online earlier this year, and the two agreed to meet in the 5400 block of South Hoyne to “socialize and consume cannabis together” inside the younger man’s car.
While parked, a Chicago Police Department tactical team noticed the idling vehicle and directed their spotlight toward it. In a sudden turn of events, Kelly allegedly pistol-whipped the other man, shoved him out of the driver’s seat, jumped behind the wheel, and sped off with his 2025 Nissan Kicks.
The victim was briefly dragged by the vehicle as Kelly fled. Despite initially evading pursuing officers, Kelly eventually crashed into a parked car in the 5100 block of South Winchester. Police apprehended him as he tried to flee near South Damen Avenue, with the victim positively identifying him as the carjacker.
Upon his arrest, Kelly was found in possession of the victim’s prescription bottle, earbuds, and vape pen. Additionally, a handgun was recovered between two parked cars nearby, with surveillance footage capturing Kelly making a “tossing motion” towards that area.
Court records revealed that Kelly was already on probation for a 2024 felony gun possession conviction at the time of the carjacking.
Following his guilty plea for aggravated vehicular hijacking with a weapon, Kelly received a 15-year prison sentence from Judge Ursula Waloski. Per state law, he must serve half of that term, with a parole date set for February 13, 2032, factoring in credits earned while in jail.
