Three suspects are in prison following a violent attack last month that left an Uber driver severely injured and missing a dozen teeth, according to Chicago police.
The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. on March 21 in the 3600 block of West Grenshaw Street, according to police.
Less than an hour ago, authorities said the suspects stole a smartphone from a Whitney Young High School student and used it to request a ride from Muhammad Jawaid, 58.
Jawaid picked up the trio from the CTA Blue Line station near Halsted and Van Buren streets and drove them approximately five miles west to Central Park Avenue and Grenshaw Street, according to officials.
“I was in panic and shock… This boy came outside, opened my door and started hitting my face with a gun,” Jawaid said.
When they arrived, the suspects left the vehicle, brandished firearms, and attacked Jawaid, according to authorities. They snatched his wallet and smartphone and attempted to take his Honda Pilot, but it wouldn’t start.
The group fled, leaving Jawaid, a father of two, in the street with head and facial injuries. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for additional treatment.
Within a week, cops arrested 18-year-old Jeremiah Burns and two 17-year-olds in relation to the incident. Surveillance footage at the Blue Line station acquired photographs of the suspects, which helped the investigation.
Surveillance cameras near the Blue Line also caught the suspects.
“I told them (detectives) I recognize their jackets from surveillance at the pickup location,” Jawaid said.
An Uber official gave a comment regarding the attack on Jawaid.
“This appalling act of violence has no place in our communities. Our thoughts remain with the driver, and we’ve reached out to check in. We’re working closely with police and will continue to support their investigation to help ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
Burns was detained on March 27 in the 1100 block of South Central Park Avenue. He faces a number of charges, including:
- Three felony counts of robbery while armed with a firearm
- Two felony counts of robbery
- One felony count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm
- One misdemeanor count of obstructing identification
Meanwhile, Jawaid stated that he must have a full mouth extraction, which is projected to cost between $40,000 and $50,000.
