Authorities have charged four men following a series of criminal activities beginning with the theft of a red Hyundai Sonata in Calumet City and culminating in a police chase across state lines. These incidents included the shooting of two DoorDash delivery personnel in Indiana and an attempted carjacking of a Tesla in Merrillville. Kamerin Young, aged 19, from Dolton, Illinois, is identified as the driver. He, along with three passengers, faces over a dozen felony charges in Lake Superior Court, including attempted murder and armed robbery. A fifth individual, related to one of the accused, is referenced in court documents but remains uncharged. None of the suspects are presently in custody, but Young is to be held without bail upon arrest.
Three of the suspects involved in the incident are teenagers from South Holland, while the fifth person is from Harvey. The chain of events began shortly before 11 p.m. on March 2 when Merrillville police responded to an incident near 55th Avenue and Chase Street. A couple described being intercepted by a red vehicle while delivering a DoorDash order. Armed and masked individuals emerged from the car, forcing the couple to attempt an escape. As they reversed, gunshots were fired, injuring the male driver in the shoulder and grazing the female passenger.
Shortly after this, police received a report from a woman at Aladdin Pita on W. 80th Lane in Merrillville. She recounted an attempted carjacking of her Tesla by three armed males while she was leaving work. The assailants, unable to locate her car keys, made off with her personal belongings, including a gold necklace and two rings, before fleeing in the stolen Sonata.
The ensuing pursuit involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Calumet City Police, Dolton Police, and Illinois State Police. The suspects were tracked speeding north between 85 and 100 mph on the Bishop Ford Expressway. The chase concluded near the 14300 block of Chicago Road in Dolton, where the suspects abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. One of the teens was found hiding under a truck and resisted arrest, which led to a physical altercation with officers. Another teen admitted to participating in the initial car theft, which involved brandishing a weapon and wearing a Michael Myers mask. The vehicle, a rental with Michigan plates, was stolen from a woman who was with her two children at the time.
Young’s charges are extensive, encompassing two counts of attempted murder, multiple counts of robbery and battery, some resulting in bodily injuries. The investigation continued as authorities sought to apprehend the suspects.
The Tangible Impact
This string of violent incidents has significant implications for the affected communities, particularly concerning public safety and trust in local law enforcement. The brazen nature of the crimes, including daylight robberies and high-speed chases, can lead to heightened fear among residents, potentially affecting their daily routines and perceptions of security in their neighborhoods.
For businesses like DoorDash, such events underscore the critical need for enhanced safety protocols for delivery personnel, who may find themselves vulnerable during their shifts. The involvement of multiple jurisdictions in the chase also highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation to effectively manage cross-border criminal activities.
Furthermore, these incidents may prompt a reevaluation of rental car security measures, as the stolen vehicle was a rental with out-of-state plates. Improved checks and preventive strategies could be considered to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences in the future. Overall, the community’s response to these events will be pivotal in rebuilding a sense of safety and bolstering public trust.