Auto thefts, carjacking reported on SW Side

Police are warning residents about a series of auto thefts and an armed carjacking this week in the Wrightwood neighborhood on the Southwest Side.

Vehicles that were left running outside because of the cold weather have been targeted, and in at least one instance, the suspect was armed with a handgun and used force, according to a community alert from Chicago Police.

The first robbery occurred at 8:10 a.m. Jan. 4 in the 8000 block of South Fairfield, police said. The second happened in the 2800 block of West 83rd Place at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 6.

About 15 minutes later that same day, the armed carjacking occurred in the 8000 block of South Fairfield, police said.

The incident involved an off-duty Chicago Police officer, who was warming up his car when someone jumped inside, police said. The officer announced that he was a police officer, then saw that the suspect had a handgun and opened fire, but no one was hit, police said.

The carjacker took off in the officer’s car, which was later recovered, along with the other stolen vehicle, 7400 block of South Oakley on Wednesday afternoon. In both of the Jan. 6 incidents, suspects drove away in a silver Buick Enclave SUV.

Anyone with information should call Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8380.