A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a violent carjacking last summer, where he held a gun to an Uber driver’s face. Caleb Pettis pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking with a weapon, with Judge Diana Kenworthy handing down the sentence. Pettis will serve four years before being eligible for parole, with credit earned while awaiting trial.
The incident occurred when Pettis and three others, including 20-year-old Asia Andrewin, called for an Uber around 4 a.m. on July 10, 2024. When the car arrived, one person in the front seat pointed a gun at the driver, while Pettis pressed a gun against her face from the back seat. They forced her to reveal her phone password and drove away with her Hyundai Elantra.
Hours later, surveillance cameras captured Pettis firing a gun toward a playground sign after abandoning the stolen vehicle. No injuries were reported, but Pettis was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. However, these charges were dropped in exchange for his plea in the carjacking.
Chicago police located the stolen car in a vacant lot and arrested Pettis and Andrewin after they exited a nearby home. Pettis had the victim’s key fob, and Andrewin had the driver’s phone. The victim identified both as participants in the hijacking.
Prosecutors noted that Pettis had an extensive juvenile history, with five felony convictions, including three for carjackings. Andrewin pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery and was sentenced to two years of probation.
This incident highlights the dangers faced by Uber drivers and the serious consequences of violent crimes like carjacking. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures for both drivers and passengers.
