Chicago police statistics show increase in carjackings

CHICAGO (AP) - Statistics from the Chicago Police Department show an increase in carjackings over the past two years.

The Chicago Tribune reports that through Wednesday there were 967 carjackings this year. Last year there were 682 carjackings in Chicago, more than double the tallies from each of the two previous years. The city saw about 900 carjackings in 2007 but the number dropped until 2015.

Victims have been robbed of their vehicles, often with guns or knives, in neighborhoods throughout the city.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says the city has formed a task force with the FBI to investigate the rise in carjackings. He says it's hard to give a reason for the increase, saying "a simple answer is difficult."

The superintendent says adult gang members often direct juvenile gang members to commit the carjackings.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com