Latest news with #RaleighFord
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
18-year-old arrested for attempted car theft of priest outside Near North Side church: police
The Brief A Near North Side priest was the victim of an attempted armed car theft while his car was parked outside his church on May 21, police say. Raleigh Ford, 18, was identified as the alleged suspect in the incident. The investigation is ongoing; no charges have been filed. CHICAGO - An 18-year-old is in custody after allegedly attempting to steal a priest's car while it was parked outside a Near North Side church on May 21, police said. What we know The victim, a Catholic priest, stopped to check the mail at Holy Name Cathedral Parrish before joining some of the nuns for a lunch reservation at around 11:25 a.m. The victim parked his 2015 Toyota Rav4 on the street, unlocked with the keys in the ignition and the vehicle running. When returning to his vehicle, the victim allegedly saw Raleigh Ford checking to see if the car was unlocked. When the victim called out to Ford, Ford entered the driver's side of the car. The victim quickly ran to the car and entered the car on the passenger's side. The two got into a physical altercation, with Ford trying to push the victim out of the car while the victim was able to dislodge the keys from the vehicle's ignition. Ford then fled on foot in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported. The incident was recorded on the Parrish CCTV. Ford was arrested for a similar crime on May 26 by Chicago Police and positively identified as the suspect by the victim. What's next The investigation is ongoing and charges are still pending at this time. The Source Details of this case were provided by the Chicago Police Department and court documents.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man fought priest outside Chicago church during carjack attempt: prosecutors
CHICAGO (WGN) — A Chicago man was taken into custody this week following two alleged attempted carjackings, including one in which he's accused of scuffling with a priest. Raleigh Ford, 18, of the 1100 block of North Hudson Avenue, in the city's River North neighborhood, was arrested Monday. Authorities said Ford was taken into custody after trying to steal a car on the 1000 block of North Clark Street. A handgun was used in the case, police said. One of the arresting officers is said to have recognized Ford as a suspect in another case five days earlier that was recorded by security cameras. Prosecutors allege that on May 21, Ford attempted to steal a 2015 Toyota Rav 4 belonging to a Catholic priest outside Holy Name Cathedral. According to a charging document, the priest left the vehicle unlocked and running outside the church on the 700 block of North Wabash Avenue. When the priest returned outside after checking the mail, he allegedly saw Ford getting into the driver's seat. The priest got in the vehicle on the passenger side and 'a brief physical altercation occurred' as the men each tried to get control. The priest, who was not publicly identified, ultimately got the keys out of the ignition and Ford ran off, authorities said. The attempted theft and struggle were recorded by the church's security system, officials said. Three police officers who'd previously arrested Ford allegedly recognized him in the footage. 'The priest involved is not a member of the staff at Holy Name Cathedral,' church officials told WGN. 'He has recovered and is actively ministering at his parish. We appreciate the concern and prayers from the community.' The news organization CWBChicago reported the attack outside the church came just days after Ford was released on parole for an armed robbery conviction. Court documents reveal Ford has a juvenile criminal past that includes stolen vehicle and armed robbery cases. He is now charged with attempted vehicular hijacking, aggravated assault, and criminal trespassing to a vehicle. Ford appeared in court Friday before Judge Luciano Panici Jr. and was ordered held until trial. His next court appearance was scheduled for June 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
