Four arrests made in Waukegan robberies, carjackings

Four people, including two juveniles, have been charged in a series of robberies and carjackings this summer in Waukegan, authorities announced Friday.

The quartet is responsible for at least 15 crimes, police said.

Charges have been filed in connection with eight of the cases so far, and more charges are expected to be filed next week against the two oldest suspects.

The robberies date back to June 19 and include an Aug. 3 shooting, police said.

Tijuan Tyrone, 18, of the 1300 block of Jackson Street in North Chicago, has been charged with three counts of aggravated robbery and one count of vehicular hijacking.

Christopher Easley Jr., 21, of the 1000 block of Lincoln Street in North Chicago, is charged with five counts of aggravated robbery, three counts of kidnapping, three counts of vehicular hijacking and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm.

A 13-year-old North Chicago boy has been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, attempted vehicular hijacking, three counts of kidnapping, seven counts of aggravated robbery and one count of aggravated battery.

A 15-year-old Waukegan boy is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, four counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of attempted armed robbery, and one count of vehicular hijacking.

The case broke open Tuesday when Tyrone tried to rob an undercover officer who was part of a team investigating the stickups, police said. He was arrested, and that led investigators to the other suspects.

The suspects worked together but didn't commit every robbery together, police said.

An unspecified firearm and two pellet guns were recovered during the investigation. Items stolen from the robbery victims were recovered, too, police said.

Tyrone and Easley are in Lake County jail. Tyrone's bond was set at $75,000, while Easley's bond was set at $1 million.

The two boys are held at the juvenile center near Vernon Hills.