A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to ten years in jail for a failed carjacking in which the victim pulled a gun and kept him until police came, according to court records and prosecutors.
The carjacking attempt took place in the Washington Heights neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side and concluded with the juvenile suspect being pinned to the ground by his intended victim.
Incident Began With Armed Confrontation at Driver’s Window
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The attempted hijacking occurred around 6:28 a.m. on January 2, 2024, in the 9400 block of South Laflin Street. According to Chicago police, the victim, a 39-year-old man, was sitting in his 2021 Mazda CX-9 when the suspect, Darrius Berry, approached the driver’s side window with a gun.
Berry allegedly brandished the gun at the victim and demanded, “Please give me the keys.” I need your car. I apologize, sir… Go into the home.
The victim first obliged, handing up the keys, and then returned to his home.
Victim Turned the Tables With His Own Firearm
Once inside, the man recovered his lawfully held handgun and returned to the outdoors. Berry remained inside the vehicle, now in the driver’s seat, with the original handgun sitting on the passenger seat.
The victim approached the truck, opened the driver’s door, and threatened Berry, “If you reach for it, I’ll blow your head off.” He then forcibly dragged Berry out of the car and held him at gunpoint on the ground until officers arrived.
Police Recovered Firearm Later Found to Be Stolen
Officers arrested Berry and retrieved the handgun allegedly used in the carjacking. A CPD report later discovered that the gun was reported stolen from a car near West 90th Street about a month ago.
The victim informed police that during their brief contact, he asked Berry if anyone else was participating. Berry reportedly answered, “He’s around the corner,” but no other suspects were identified.
Judge Issues Sentence, but Release Could Come Sooner
Berry pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular hijacking and received a 10-year jail term this week from Judge Thomas Hennelly.
However, under Illinois law, he will be eligible for release in just over three years thanks to sentence credits and the state’s 50% reduction program for qualified offenders.