Man Sentenced to Nine Years for Carjacking Uber Eats Driver in Chicago

A 19-year-old man, Tayvon Andrews, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking in a case that highlighted the collaborative efforts of Chicago police helicopters and Illinois State Police troopers in apprehending fleeing suspects. The sentencing was handed down by Judge Thomas Byrne, with Andrews required to serve at least 50% of the sentence before being eligible for release. His alleged accomplice, David Brantley, also 19, is set to appear in court next month for a new plea hearing.

The incident that led to the arrests occurred on December 8, 2024, when a 25-year-old Uber Eats delivery driver was carjacked while sitting in his 2016 Toyota sedan on West Blackhawk Street. Two men, identified as Andrews and Brantley, approached the driver, with Andrews allegedly brandishing a gun and ordering the victim out of the car. The suspects then fled the scene with Brantley driving and Andrews in the passenger seat.

Following the carjacking, Chicago police deployed a helicopter to track the stolen Toyota from the air, while Illinois State Police troopers assisted on the ground as officers pursued the suspects across the city. The pursuit came to an end when the stolen vehicle crashed near 87th Street and State Street around 9:45 p.m., leading to the arrest of Andrews and Brantley by state troopers.

Prosecutors revealed that Brantley had a prior stolen motor vehicle case in juvenile court and was in warrant status for non-compliance with court conditions at the time of the hijacking. The case shed light on the evolving law enforcement approach in Chicago, where high-speed chases are discouraged due to past legal liabilities. Instead, CPD’s helicopter unit often tracks fleeing vehicles from the air, with ground units strategically positioned for apprehension.

Illinois State Police, operating under different pursuit guidelines, sometimes take a more active role in ground operations, complementing CPD’s aerial surveillance. In situations where direct pursuit is avoided, CPD units maintain a close watch on suspects until a safe resolution is reached, preventing unnecessary risks.