New Lenox Police Arrest Two Chicago Males for Aggravated Vehicular Carjacking

On Friday June 23rd, 2023, the New Lenox Police Department arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile and a 19-year-old male, Timothy Gaines, both from Chicago, in connection to a Carjacking that took place in New Lenox on June 20th

At approximately 6:15 AM on June 20th, the NLPD responded to a report of an Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking in the 1600 block of Eagle Circle. A 71-year-old Uber driver was the victim. The victim was waiting for a passenger to exit their home when a stolen white colored Hyundai pulled up and parked in front of his Toyota Venza. The victim was forcibly removed from his vehicle by two offenders armed with handguns. During the robbery, the victim was struck in the head with a pistol by one of the offenders. A third male subject, the driver of the stolen Hyundai, remained inside that vehicle. The two armed offenders stole the victim’s, keys, cell phone, and money clip. They began to drive away in the victim’s Toyota but abandoned the vehicle a few houses away from the scene of the crime. All three subjects then fled the area in the stolen Hyundai. The victim was transported to Silver Cross Hospital, treated for his head injury and later released. The victim’s cell phone was recovered by responding officers along Route 30. The victim’s keys were found by a local resident and returned to the NLPD.
The stolen Hyundai was recovered later that evening in Chicago following a pursuit by the Illinois State Police Department. Four individuals were arrested following that pursuit and taken into custody; two female juveniles, one male juvenile and one male adult. They denied involvement in the New Lenox Carjacking incident. These individuals were charged with crimes related to possession of the stolen motor vehicle and the fleeing and eluding of the Illinois State Police Officers.

The stolen Hyundai was processed by the New Lenox Police Department. Two masks believed to be used in the carjacking, the victim’s money clip, and other evidence were recovered from the vehicle. On Friday June 23rd, NLPD Investigators were in the 22nd District of Chicago searching surveillance footage from pole-cameras where the stolen Hyundai was known to have been.

Investigators recovered footage recorded on Tuesday June 20th.

The footage showed the three males responsible for our carjacking walking together, wearing the same clothing worn during the Carjacking, approximately one hour after it occurred. They were unmasked on the pole-camera video.

Investigators used photos from the video and began to canvass the area attempting to locate them and/or learn their identities. It was learned that these three offenders were know to regularly frequent a gas station located at 111th and Racine. The investigators began to surveil that gas station. A car arrived on scene shortly after surveillance was set up. That car contained two of the subjects wanted for this investigation. The investigators approached the vehicle and safely took them into custody without incident. Clothing worn in the Carjacking was recovered from the vehicle, as was a handgun with an extended magazine. The handgun had a defaced serial number, and was later learned to have been reported stolen from East Chicago, Indiana.
The offenders, a 17-year-old male juvenile and 19-year-old Timothy Gaines were taken into custody. The juvenile is currently in custody at River Valley Detention Center in Joliet. He is charged with:
– 3 counts of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
– 4 counts of Armed Robbery
– 3 counts of Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
– 1 count of Aggravated Battery
– 1 count Aggravated Unlawful use of a Weapon
Timothy Gaines is charged with:
– 3 counts of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
– 4 counts of Armed Robbery
– 3 counts of Attempted Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
– 1 count of Aggravated Battery

Gaines is currently being held in the Will County Adult Detention Facility on $1,000,000.00 bond.

The New Lenox Police Department is continuing to follow up on strong leads with regard to the third suspect who remains at large. This investigation remains on-going. We would like to thank the Illinois State Police, the Chicago Police Department, the Joliet Police Department and the Will County State’s Attorney’s Officer for their assistance in this investigation.