Man killed in Oak Park carjacking, Articles, News
Man killed in Oak Park carjacking
Tuesday, May 9th, two thousand seventeen Trio:Legitimate PM
A carjacking in the parking lot of an Oak Park grocery store on Roosevelt Road on May seven resulted in the death of a Westchester man, 24-year-old Christopher Daniel Florez, according to Oak Park police.
Police are still investigating the incident and are holding a “person of interest” for questioning.
Florez, police said, left a car running as a he, a friend and her daughter stood a few feet away at a DVD rental kiosk outside Jewel, seven thousand thirty six Roosevelt Road, around 6:40 p.m.
A man, described by witnesses as black masculine, about thirty to forty years old with a lean build, brief braids and wearing a dark sweater, reportedly got into the car.
Florez then ran to the car and reached inwards the driver-side window, but the man drove off “at a high rate of speed,” police said.
Still draping onto the car as it traveled northbound on Harlem Avenue, Florez eventually was thrown from the moving vehicle. The Cook County medical Examiner’s Office confirmed on May eight that Florez died from injuries suffered by being dragged by a moving car.
Dustin Murguia, who lives in the one thousand one hundred block of Harlem Avenue in Forest Park, was unpacking from a weekend journey about seven p.m. on May seven when he heard the screeching of car tires outside his home.
“I heard a commotion. I heard some people outside. I live right on Harlem,” Murguia said. “I open the window and I can see a figure, close to the median of Harlem [Avenue].”
Murguia said he went outside and walked ten or fifteen yards north, just as police and paramedics were arriving.
He said the victim, later identified as Florez, was taken away by paramedics after about 5-7 minutes.
Police blocked off Harlem Avenue from Roosevelt Road to Harrison Street for about an hour, Murguia said.
“It was getting dark before we heard traffic outside our house again,” he said.
Florez was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and pronounced dead later Sunday evening.
Police reported recovering the vehicle, a two thousand sixteen Dodge Charger, and detaining a person for questioning.
Oak Park police did not come back a call requesting further comment.
Forest Park police responded to the Oak Park incident, Chief Thomas Aftanas said May 8, and provided traffic control and very first aid to Florez, who ended up on the western side of Harlem Avenue, technically Forest Park’s jurisdiction, Aftanas said.
There have been six motor thefts in Forest Park in which residents left cars running with the keys inwards since Jan. 1, according to Deputy Police Chief Michael Keating.
There have been a total of eleven car thefts in 2017, according to Aftanas. In 2016, there were thirty two car thefts. In 2015, there were twenty five car thefts.
The Oak Park incident is unique in that Florez reached into the vehicle in an attempt to stop the theft.
It is significant to recall, Aftanas said May 8, that car “thefts” are not “carjackings.” Carjackings involve forcibly removing a victim from a car, possibly with a weapon.
The six incidents since January do not represent a trend, in Aftanas’ opinion.
These types of incidents are not uncommon, especially in wintertime, when drivers sometime leave cars unattended and running for convenience.
“People go out, warm their cars up and go back in the house,” Aftanas said. “%u200B. %u200B That’s a normal occurrence . It does happen fairly a bit.”
%u200BHe also mentioned residents running into convenience stores to pay for gas or packing up their tires with air as possible situations leading to this particular kind of car theft.
%u200BAftanas suggested remote-start devices, which cost several hundred dollars, as one possible deterrent. %u200BThe low-tech method is for residents to their switch behavior.
“Even if it seems inconvenient, shut it off and lock the doors . especially if you have kids in the car,” Aftanas said. “That will undoubtedly deter someone from taking it.”
Anyone who may have information regarding the incident is urged to contact Oak Park police at 708-386-3800 or to leave anonymous tips at 708-434-1636 or at www.oak-park.us/crimetip.
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Jean Lotus from Oak Park Facebook Verified
Posted: May 11th, two thousand seventeen 11:Legitimate PM
Just telling: There’s a difference inbetween stealing a car with possessor present and a parked car with no one nearby. We’ve had several carjacking gigs in Oak Park and environs within the past few months. I personally know two people who have been carjacked, and that’s two too many. My understanding is that US Marines training trains one to rush toward danger, so I don’t fault Dan Florez for his deeds. I just feel so sorry for his family.
Pam Fontana Facebook Verified
Posted: May 10th, two thousand seventeen 9:06 AM
So, Jean, you disagree with the Chief of Police then? Unluckily, this gentleman chose to leave his car running and unlocked. Also it is unfortunate that he then attempted to stop the theft. A car is so not worth your life. Much like people attempting to hit a train. Not worth it.
Jean Lotus from Oak Park Facebook Verified
Posted: May 10th, two thousand seventeen 8:02 AM
Car thefts can take place when holder is absent. Car jacking is a more severe crime, when proprietor is present. Not necessarily inwards the vehicle. Similar to distinction inbetween theft and (more severe) robbery.
Amy Koors from Forest Park Facebook Verified
Posted: May 9th, two thousand seventeen Ten:07 PM
“It is significant to reminisce, Aftanas said May 8, that car “thefts” are not “carjackings.” Carjackings involve forcibly removing a victim from a car, possibly with a weapon.” – Why does this article refer to this incident as a carjacking, then? The suspect got into the running car while the victim was out of it.
