A Sunday afternoon in Humboldt Park turned tense when a 23-year-old man was allegedly carjacked at gunpoint on June 28 in the 900 block of North Central Park Avenue on Chicago's Northwest Side. Police say a gun went off during the confrontation but no one was hit, and officers later arrested two suspects in the same block roughly three hours after the holdup. The men, identified as 38-year-old William Tanksley and 35-year-old Trevail Tyree, now face felony charges, and Tanksley is also accused in a separate felony involving between 10 and 30 grams of cannabis. Both were scheduled for a Cook County detention hearing on Tuesday, June 30.
Police account
According to Chicago police, the carjacking happened around 3 p.m. when two men allegedly took the victim’s vehicle at gunpoint, then were later found and detained on the same stretch of Central Park Avenue. As reported by FOX 32 Chicago, a shot was fired during the encounter but did not strike anyone. The station credits the account to the Chicago Police Department and notes that booking photos of the suspects were provided by police.
Charges and court date
FOX 32 Chicago reports that both men were hit with two felony counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm. Tanksley is also charged with a separate felony count alleging the manufacturing or delivery of between 10 and 30 grams of cannabis. A Cook County judge is set to decide on pretrial detention and any bail conditions at the scheduled hearing.
What the law says
Illinois law defines aggravated vehicular hijacking as taking a motor vehicle from another person by force or threat while armed or otherwise committing an aggravating circumstance. The offense is laid out in 720 ILCS 5/18‑4. Penalties depend on the specific allegations and any prior convictions, so the eventual outcome will be determined through the court process. The statutory language and related case law help explain why prosecutors file enhanced counts when a firearm is alleged.
Neighborhood context
Carjackings have been a stubborn public safety issue in Chicago, with a notable surge in recent years that prompted specialized police units and fresh attention from City Hall. WTTW has previously detailed that spike and the city’s response, which has mixed enforcement with intervention programs that aim to cut down on vehicle hijackings. Neighbors in the Humboldt Park area viewed these latest arrests as a relief but have also called for continued focus on prevention efforts and broader community supports.
Next steps
Tanksley and Tyree remain in custody while they await the Cook County detention hearing, where prosecutors will outline their case and a judge will weigh detention and bail. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Chicago Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
