A shocking incident unfolded in Chicago when a 15-time convicted felon, Jeremy Ochoa, allegedly hijacked an SUV with a baby inside, dragging the child’s mother along with him. The 38-year-old criminal was apprehended less than two hours after the carjacking took place.
According to authorities, Ochoa approached a 36-year-old woman in the 1200 block of South Independence and forcefully took her 2011 GMC Acadia with her 7-month-old daughter still strapped inside. As he sped away, he dragged the mother with the SUV. Chicago police were able to track the stolen vehicle using a combination of license plate reader alerts and pings from a cellphone left inside the SUV. Eventually, the unoccupied SUV was found in the 6200 block of South King Drive, and the 7-month-old girl was discovered abandoned on the sidewalk.
An astute CPD officer monitoring surveillance cameras noticed Ochoa discarding his shirt, leading a covert police unit to observe him entering a convenience store at 61st and King Drive. Enforcement units swiftly moved in to apprehend him. Judge James Murphy III ordered Ochoa to be detained, citing his extensive criminal history with “over 15 different” felony convictions, primarily for residential burglary.
Ochoa now faces charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking of a vehicle with a passenger under 16 and aggravated kidnapping of a child. This alarming incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in our communities. It is crucial to remain vigilant and prioritize safety measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
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