An Elk Grove Village homeowner sent would‑be carjackers scrambling out of his driveway late Tuesday, according to a local television report. The attempt unfolded while his family slept, and security footage of the incident aired later, leaving neighbors rattled.
Home security video shared by FOX 32 Chicago shows suspects at the homeowner’s vehicle before he runs out and chases them off, the station reported. Reporter Leslie Moreno canvassed the neighborhood for reaction, and the clip was posted Wednesday along with interviews from residents who said there have been similar incidents on nearby streets.
Regional response and patrols
The wider Chicago area has been dealing with a wave of vehicular hijackings and related thefts in recent years, prompting multi‑agency responses and a dedicated vehicular hijacking team, WTTW reports. That coverage notes the task force, made up of the Illinois State Police, Chicago Police, the Cook County Sheriff and the FBI, uses license‑plate readers and interagency tracking to recover stolen vehicles and study patterns.
Neighbors on edge
In on‑camera interviews for the TV segment, residents told the station they are worried about opportunistic thieves and are paying closer attention to security around their homes, FOX 32 Chicago reported. Some neighbors said they have been reviewing door‑cam clips and double‑locking their cars at night after hearing about multiple attempts in the area.
Simple steps that help
Crime‑prevention groups recommend straightforward, high‑impact steps to cut the risk of vehicle theft: lock doors, never leave keys or a running engine unattended, park in well‑lit areas and consider tracking devices, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. For additional guidance and layered prevention strategies, see the NICB.
How to report suspicious activity
The Village of Elk Grove advises residents to contact police about suspicious behavior; Elk Grove Village lists an on‑duty supervisor contact and guidance for filing complaints, and anyone witnessing a crime in progress should call 911. Local non‑emergency numbers and other municipal resources are available on the village site for follow‑up and community questions.
