http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/1...070808.article


Hijacked trucker found in Joliet, hijacker and truck still missing

July 8, 2008Recommend

FROM STNG WIRE REPORTS
The driver of a semi truck who was hijacked by an "armed and dangerous" man Monday afternoon in west suburban Downers Grove was located but police Tuesday morning continue to seek the hijacker and the truck.

The hijacking occurred at 3:36 p.m. Monday outside the Speedway service station at 898 Ogden Ave., according to Downers Grove Police Deputy Chief Jim Black.

Black, in a written statement, said the male driver of an EBY-Brown Transportation semi truck had just pulled into the station’s lot to make a delivery of cigarettes and other sundries. A passenger, also a man, was in the truck at the time, Black said.

He did not know the financial value of the cargo, but said the truck was “90 percent full of cigarettes.”

The truck came to a stop and a man armed with a handgun opened the passenger side door, Black said. He ordered the passenger out of the truck and then climbed inside.

Black said the truck, with the driver still at the wheel, then drove west on Ogden Avenue.

That driver was located about 11:15 p.m. Monday in Joliet. He walked up to a home and told the residents he had been the victim of a robbery in Downers Grove and was dropped off at I-55 and Caton Farm Road, Black said.

The man contacted his girlfriend and then alerted Joliet police. Paramedics took him with minor injuries to Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet where he was treated and released.

Downers Grove detectives have spoken to the man as of 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, but it is not immediately clear what information he was able to provide. The truck and the hijacker, who is described as a white man with short brown hair, are still missing.

He said the semi truck has a white-colored cab with “EBY-Brown Transportation” on its doors in red lettering. It bears Illinois license plate number 36012 TR and the number 947 on it.

Its trailer is white-colored, has no lettering and bears Illinois license plate number 351 683 S/T, police said.

Black said the hijacker “should be considered armed and dangerous.” He said anyone who sees the truck or knows of its location should not approach it, and should instead call 911.

--STNGWire, Naperville Sun

Rght in my own backyard, nice. That area is a decent area. Goes to show poop happens everyhwere!

If I was the type to do something like this I would pick a "decent" area because people tend to be more relaxed and less alert where they feel safe or safer at.

IF "I" were the type to do this, I would make SURE the driver had a passenger with him to be an alibi for the driver who I would try NOT to "ruff up" too much, and be sure that I paid him WELL! :lol: :lol:

Just sayin, :wink:

Something smells fishy to me. :roll:

Of course, it could have gone down exactly as the driver told it. But, a very careful perp, after obviously casing the joint and knowing which nondescript truck and trailer would be full of cigarrettes, might "abort" in a situation where he noticed a "passenger" in the truck. Especially, if he isn't going to wear a mask! Why have TWO eyewitnesses?

On the other hand..... if it was an "inside job," what better alibi than a passernger to tell police that the driver was under durress??

It wouldn't be the FIRST time a driver has helped "organized crime" (did someone say Chicago area?) to boost his high-dollar payload for a piece of the action. :wink:

But, if true..... you gas haulin' tanker yankers better REALLY be on the lookout!! :lol:

a passenger with a loud bark and really big teeth works pretty well also

Not only should he of done his pretrip but he should of locked that passenger side door!!!!

Yeah, Downers Grove is one of the "nicer" suburbs.